According to KidsHealth.org, kids should receive at least 60 minutes of physical activity on most days of the week. Because kids don't exercise in the same way that adults exercise, age-appropriate activities and a total daily accumulation of activity is what really matters. According to the 2008 publication "Call to Activity: Getting Kids Moving in the Great Outdoors," the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services emphasizes the importance of outdoor experiences in children and the positive impact that outdoor exercise has on child development including an overall increase in physical activity. Encourage your child to spend at least 30 minutes of her daily activity in outdoor exercise and games.
Tag Games
Think about the game of tag. The whole game involves running, dodging and laughing. Because the basic game of tag has morphed into what seems like thousands of variations, kids can learn new versions to keep from getting bored. The gist is this: one person starts out as the tagger and he sets out to tag everyone else. Sometimes when he tags another player that player becomes the new tagger; in other versions the two individuals work together as joint-taggers. In blob tag, as each new player becomes tagged, they join hands with all previous taggers and work in a "blob" to tag other players. In freeze tag, the tagged player becomes frozen in place, and become unfrozen only if a free player crawls between the frozen player'slegs. Think creatively and play with your kids for a fun-filled---and tiring---evening.
Sports
The sky's the limit when it comes to sporting games that you can play outside. Soccer, lacrosse, field hockey, baseball, kickball, street basketball and even swimming; keep trying recreational sports until your child finds one she likes. If she's not naturally athletic, or doesn't enjoy the competition of sports, keep the games small, low-key and with an emphasis on fun. Even just kicking a soccer ball back and forth, or tossing a baseball will improve coordination and strength while also building family bonds.
Outdoor Pursuits
Check with your local park and recreation district or state parks department to see if they offer an outdoor pursuits program for kids. Many of these programs offer hiking, kayaking, rock-climbing and camping opportunities for kids, while teaching them about nature and conservancy. Scouting programs also offer similar opportunities. Outdoor pursuits educate children while also emphasizing exercise in a new and exciting way.
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