10 Fit Kids Ideas for Summer

by Heather Long | More from this Blogger

18 May 2008 09:49 AM

It's started. Kids are getting out of school and the flood gates started opening in some areas this week. I'm lucky, I still have another week and half before my daughter's school lets out for the 12 long weeks of hot summer days and boredom in the afternoon. But you can take advantage of the long, hot days to work on your fitness and your children's fitness as well. Here are 10 great ways to take advantage of the fitness:

• Incorporate physical activity into the daily routine. From household chores to an after dinner walk, keep your family active every day.
• Allow enough time for free play. Kids can burn more calories and have more fun when left to their own devices. Playing tag, riding bikes around the neighborhood, and building snowmen are some favorite childhood pastimes.
• Keep a variety of games and sports equipment on hand. It doesn't have to be expensive - an assortment of balls, hula-hoops, and jump ropes can keep kids busy for hours.
• Be active together. It'll get you moving and kids love to play with their parents. Limit time spent in sedentary activities, such as watching TV, going online, and playing video games.
• Summer camps, particularly day camps, can be a great way to get kids moving.
• Check out summer sports, like baseball, gymnastics, swimming - these are fantastic activities that utilize the full body.
• Walk the dog. If you have a big back yard and don't take the dog out that often and your kids are older, encourage them to walk the dog or take the younger ones out with you to walk the dog.
• Set aside time every morning for 'exercise' time. You don't have to call it that, but it's a great time to get some physical exercise in and make sure the kids are too.
• Water fights. I'm serious. Wash the car, water the garden and get soaking wet. You'll be moving and so will they.
• Window shop at the mall. My daughter loves the mall and it's got air conditioning. It's a great way to power walk and window shop. We call it dream shopping and she tells me what she's going to be doing when she's old enough to buy this or that. It's also a great way to get conversations started.

Our kids are growing up and every day puts them one step closer to being an adult. Teach them good habits now, habits that will stick with them when they are beyond the "do what I tell you to do" phase and give them a love of activity that will pay them back over and over as they grow up.

What can you do this summer?

Learn more about Heather Long

Heather Long is 35 years old and currently lives in Wylie, Texas. She has been a freelance writer for six years. Her husband and she met while working together at America Online over ten years ago.

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