If you want active kids, be active yourself. Set a good example! Take the stairs instead of the elevator or park the car farther away from your destination. Talk about physical activity as an opportunity to take care of your body, rather than a punishment or a chore.To keep your kids interested in fitness, make it fun.
1. Be silly - Let younger children see how much fun you can have while being active. Run like a gorilla. Walk like a spider. Hop like a bunny. Stretch like a cat.
2. Get in the game - Play catch, get the whole family involved in a game of tag or have a jump-rope contest. Try classic movement games such as Simon says or red light, green light. If you don't remember the rules, make up your own!
3. Count your chores - You might even make it a friendly challenge. Who can pull the most weeds out of the vegetable garden? Who can collect the most litter in the neighborhood? Who can shovel the craziest path in the snow?
4. Try an activity party - For your child's next birthday, schedule a bowling party, take the kids to a climbing wall or set up relay races in the backyard.
5. Put your kids in charge - Let each child take a turn choosing the activity of the day or week. Batting cages, bowling and fast-food play areas all count. What matters is that you're doing something active.
More Healthy Lifestyle Tips can be found on the Health Services website:
http://www.priorlake-savage.k12.mn.us/1684104191658790/blank/browse.asp?A=383&BMDRN=2000&BCOB=0&C=67274
Original Article: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fitness/FL00030
