Children should be getting at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day, notes the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Unfortunately, with the childhood obesity rate hovering around 19 percent, as estimated by the CDC, it is clear that many children don't get enough daily exercise. As a parent, it is your responsibility to make sure that your kids stay healthy by encouraging them to get more exercise. Disguising exercise as games, activities and fun can help entice your kids to get moving.
Running Games
Classic children's games that involve running can help build endurance and count for their daily exercise quota, notes KidsHealth.org, a division of the Nemours Foundation. "Tag," "Hide and Seek," "Monkey in the Middle" and other playground games are ideal for getting kids moving. Invite a few of your children's friends and let them loose in the backyard, or take your child to the park so he can join the fun.
Competitive Team Sports
Organized team sports are an ideal way to help your child become more involved, get more exercise, make new friends and increase confidence all at once. Whether your child loves team sports like soccer or softball, she might also enjoy individual sports that contribute to a team, like swimming or gymnastics. Either way, daily practices, drills and weekly games help to keep her active and give her the exercise that she needs. Check with your child's school and local parks and recreation department for available sports.
Family Activities
There's a good chance that if your child needs more exercise, you do as well. In fact, exercising daily can be a family affair with activities that get everyone moving while creating memories that will last a lifetime. Consider family hikes at a nearby conservation area, washing the car and having a water fight or riding bikes together. The CDC suggests making exercise the new order of the day, instead of passively watching television after dinner.
Video Games
Typically, when you think of video games, you likely think of sitting on the couch, inactivity and junk food. But with a new generation of video games available, some games can actually be a good way to help your child get more exercise. Choose games like "Dance Dance Revolution," which requires your child to dance on a sensor pad, or "Wii Fit," which uses your Wii remote to help your child compete in a variety of exercises, including yoga and strength training. Start slow, says FamilyEducation.con, and work your child up to higher levels as he becomes more fit.
Unstructured Play
For your child, exercising doesn't automatically mean going to the gym or participating in structured fitness activity. Just sending your child to play outside for an hour can be enough to keep her active and getting all of the exercise that she needs. Head outside together and play for an hour; whether you dig in the garden, have a snowball fight or jump in a pile of leaves, your child will enjoy exercise and soon learn to love it.
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