American children are becoming increasingly overweight because of passive lifestyles, video games, computer activities, fast food and overall unhealthy eating habits. Summer used to be a time for playing outdoors, riding bikes, swimming, and eating healthy fruits and vegetables. It's time to bring children back to a healthier lifestyle of exercise and a naturally wholesome diet. If you want to help your kids stay fit, plan ahead with some fun summer games.
Neighborhood Olympics
Get together with the neighbors and organize a Neighborhood Olympics for school-age children. Games may include foot races, bicycle races and, if the neighborhood has a pool, swimming competitions. Include some silly games that will get the children laughing, such as sack races, hopping races, three-legged races and somersault races. Softball and volleyball are team sports that will draw large crowds from the neighborhood. Before the games begin, encourage the children to practice and prepare for their events.
Family Hiking Games
Several times a week, go hiking with the family. This can be done whenever it's convenient for everyone---such as after dinner and on weekends. Give each person a list of items to look for while hiking. The first person who spots everything on the list gets to determine where to hike the next time.
Dance Contests
Bring families together and host a dance contest. Have several categories, such as hip-hop, group dancing, adult-child dancing and individual competitions. Each person and group can bring their own music. This involves weeks of practice, so everyone who participates will benefit from the exercise.
Healthy Food Scavenger Hunt
This game involves more than one family in the neighborhood. Beforehand, the organizers (parents) will drop off some healthy snacks to participating neighbors who may or may not have children in the game. Give each child a hint or list of items to find. After everyone gets together, have a party with the healthy snacks they've brought back.
Meal Planning Game
Give each child a list of healthy foods to incorporate into a meal she'll be responsible for planning during the week. Then give some guidelines about food groups and serving sizes. The children will assist in preparing that meal for the family. At the end of the week, have everyone vote on their favorite healthy meal. No one is allowed to vote for his own menu.
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