10 Ways to Keep Your Kids Active This Summer

It is a known fact kids who are physically active tend to have a lower risk of diseases later in life and tend to be more academically motivated and have a higher self-esteem. The CDC recommends that Children engage in at least 60 minutes of physical activity each and every day. How can you keep your kids active? Here are a few ideas:

1 – Turn off the television. As per the American Academy of Pediatrics, children under 2 years of age should NOT watch any television or videos. The AAP further states that children over 2 years of age should watch no more than two hours of television per day. Plus, you don’t want your child to turn into a couch potato, do you?

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2 – Go for a walk. People who walk have less incidence of diseases such as cancer, heart disease and stroke. They also tend to live longer. This quote sums it up perfectly: “Walking is man’s best medicine.” –Hippocrates

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3 – Go to the playground. At the playground, your children will have a range of activities to choose from such as running around with other children, climbing on monkey bars and riding on the swings.

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4 – Have a dance night. When I was younger, my sisters and I would have a weekly dance party. Not only was it fun, we got a great workout out of it.

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5 – Go bike riding. Riding a bike is a pollution free way to explore your neighborhood while getting a great cardiovascular workout.

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6 -Buy toys. Consider buying toys that encourage physical activity like jump ropes, balls, and kites.

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7 – Plan family activities. Family activities allow the whole family to stay active. Consider planning a family picnic, a visit to a museum or even an early morning or afternoon hike.

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8 -Schedule play dates. Play dates allow your children to do what they do best – play!

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9 -Chores. Giving your child something to do around the house, like washing dishes or folding laundry can help keep them active even if it’s only for a short amount of time.

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10 – Enroll your child in a summer program. Summer programs are geared towards keeping your children active during the summer. Many local schools as well as your local YMCA offer these types of programs.

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