Children are naturally full of energy. Take advantage of that exuberance with children's fitness activities. Exercise is good for your child's health, according to KidsHealth.com. Fitness activities can boost your child's self-esteem and decrease her risk of serious illness. Children should get at least an hour of structured physical activity every day, in addition to another 60 minutes of unstructured physical activity. Encourage your child to live an active and fit lifestyle.
Structured Fitness Activities
Structured fitness activities for kids are exercises led by an adult. Such activities include swimming, running, tennis, martial arts, skating, volleyball, gymnastics, soccer, basketball and hockey, according to HealthyChildren.org. Sign your child up for a community youth league, which may focus on baseball, softball or football. Consider your child's interests and physical abilities before choosing a structured activity. Ask him what type of activity he would enjoy--this will help motivate him to take an active part in the sport or activity.
Unstructured Play Time
Unstructured play time lets children pursue their own interests. It also gives them the chance to be creative while engaging in physical activity. Don't let children sit idle for more than 30 minutes at a time if you want to encourage active unstructured play time, according to HealthyChildren.org. Provide your child with interesting toys and fun activities that encourage her to get fit and enjoy her free play time. Provide her with chalk so she can play hopscotch. Give her a jump rope, a bike or roller skates.
Family Fitness
Promote fitness activities by playing with your child, recommends KidsHealth.org. In addition to serving as a role model, you also get to spend quality time with your child. Family fitness pursuits work well to motivate children to get active.
Add twists to classic games. For example, start a game of "Duck Duck Goose" and alternate running around the circle with jumping, hopping or walking backward. Play such games as freeze dance or freeze tag. Don't let bad weather stop you--plan indoor activities to prevent long periods of idle time. Use indoor treasure hunts, obstacle courses and games played with soft foam balls to help your kids stay active.
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