If your child is sedentary and you believe a physical problem is to blame, consult your doctor or family chiropractor.
Use Simple Props
Turn simple props into some inspiration for movement-based games. Try things like:
- Hula hoops
- A moon ball
- Soft bean bags
- An agility ladder
- Frisbees
- Water squirters
- Jump ropes
- Foam gliders
- Paper planes
- Wiffle ball and bat
- Kid’s gardening tools
Play Backyard Games
The games that you grew up with are still fun to play. Tug of war, obstacle courses, tag, and potato sacks are still good ways to get outside and spend some fun time together as a family. Go back to the basics and show your kids how to play old-school, active games.
Partner Up
Partner exercises are a great motivator for children and are a good way to encourage siblings and friends to get some exercise together, with no need for equipment. Squats, planks, and bridges are good options.
Try a back-to-back partner squat. Get your children to stand back to back and link arms on both sides. Walk their feet out a few inches and slowly start to lower to 90 degrees and hold there by pressing into one another. If they want more of a challenge, they can start from the ground and see if they can up into a squat position without coming unlinked.
Test Their Flexibility
Kids can be really flexible. Try a kid-friendly yoga practice to show them how good it can feel to stretch their muscles. You can use animals and shapes to challenge kids to show you how they can make themselves turn into a tree, triangle, or bird.
Join Community Events
Kids can take part in local fitness challenges as well. Check out local race organizations for kid-friendly fun runs, and do it together. This is a great chance to do an event together, and you can include your kids in your weekly training runs. Log your miles in a family training log for extra motivation. There are also lots of easy-to-use apps or pedometers out there to help you and the kids keep track.
Model Good Movement Habits
Being a role model is the best way to influence your kids, and by showing your children that exercise and good health can be fun and are also a priority for your family, you can pass on the value of a healthy lifestyle which should last them for life. If you have a positive attitude towards exercise, chances are, they will too.
The games that you grew up with are still fun to play. Tug of war, obstacle courses, tag, and potato sacks are still good ways to get outside and spend some fun time together as a family. Go back to the basics and show your kids how to play old-school, active games.
Partner Up
Partner exercises are a great motivator for children and are a good way to encourage siblings and friends to get some exercise together, with no need for equipment. Squats, planks, and bridges are good options.
Try a back-to-back partner squat. Get your children to stand back to back and link arms on both sides. Walk their feet out a few inches and slowly start to lower to 90 degrees and hold there by pressing into one another. If they want more of a challenge, they can start from the ground and see if they can up into a squat position without coming unlinked.
Test Their Flexibility
Kids can be really flexible. Try a kid-friendly yoga practice to show them how good it can feel to stretch their muscles. You can use animals and shapes to challenge kids to show you how they can make themselves turn into a tree, triangle, or bird.
Join Community Events
Kids can take part in local fitness challenges as well. Check out local race organizations for kid-friendly fun runs, and do it together. This is a great chance to do an event together, and you can include your kids in your weekly training runs. Log your miles in a family training log for extra motivation. There are also lots of easy-to-use apps or pedometers out there to help you and the kids keep track.
Model Good Movement Habits
Being a role model is the best way to influence your kids, and by showing your children that exercise and good health can be fun and are also a priority for your family, you can pass on the value of a healthy lifestyle which should last them for life. If you have a positive attitude towards exercise, chances are, they will too.
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