Physical activity is essential for kids’ overall wellbeing. It promotes growth and development and can even help to boost their mood and energy levels. If your child isn’t very enthusiastic about sport or the outdoors, there are plenty of other ways you can encourage them to be more active. It’s also important to lead by example and motivate them by being more active yourself. You can even incorporate physical activity into screen time. Here are five ways to get kids active.
Get them a bike
A new bike might help to motivate your kids to be active. It’s the perfect way to explore areas of natural beauty near you, and they don’t necessarily have to break the bank. You could look into second-hand bikes online, for example. You can then spruce them up a bit with the 50 best kids bike accessories. Get your kids involved in choosing accessories for their bike and this might help engage their interest. Why not even hire bikes instead and go on a family bike ride this summer?
Encourage active screen time
If your kids are getting a little addicted to screens you could try turning screen time into a way to get them active. There are plenty of active games or exercise videos that have been designed for children. Check out some of the best dancing apps for kids, for instance. There are lots of games available as well so you can get active indoors on a rainy day.
Engage their curiosity
Help your kids get in touch with nature by engaging their curiosity. You could give them a fun project to do such as looking for particular animals and plants. Try getting your kids interested in gardening as well by asking them to help out. You could start seeds in glass jars indoors so they can watch them start to grow. Hopefully, they will then start to enjoy the outdoors more.
Organize games and activities
Getting active is also important for developing certain social and critical thinking skills. You could organize games in groups or even encourage your child to join a sports club. This way they’ll make some new friends who might help motivate them to be more active. There are also plenty of indoor fitness games you can organize in winter or when the weather is bad. Ask your child which sports and activities they prefer, and see if you can find something that aligns with their interests.
Be an active role model
If you want to get your kids active you need to start by leading by example. Be an active role model and start a new activity yourself, or something you can do together. It’s important to role model the right behaviors as kids will adopt these too. The best thing is you’ll get fit in the process. Being active together is also a great way to bond. You can spend quality time together as a family and explore the great outdoors. You’ll definitely all feel the benefits.
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