This and That

Alternative Ways to Get Your Kids Active

All children should be physically active for at least one hour a day (children over 5). This physical activity helps grow strong muscles and bones, maintain a healthy weight and build their confidence, and by encouraging your child to find activities they enjoy, you can build this physical activity into family life for you all to enjoy together. 
And it doesn’t necessarily have to cost a fortune to do. Yes, places to visit, obstacle courses, days out, adventures centres, can cost a lot of money, but as a family, we try to think of our own way around this. Making our own adventures, visiting free places and creating our own activities, that sort of thing. 
So, instead of a list of fun places that kids can run off some steam, I thought I’d list the alternative ways that kids can get active:

Get Out As A Family
This one you’d think would be obvious but for some, it isn’t. Getting out as a family is much more fun for children than them being stuck playing on their own. It can be just a quick lake of football against the fence, playing tag, or even getting further afield. Not only will this help a children to get active, but it helps build the bond between parent and child, and keeps us parents active too!
Ride Together
Once you invested in some wheels, you can be off anywhere you want. It’s a great way of getting around and helps physical development. Skateboards are a favourite for my children as it teaches a whole new level of balance, physical movements and there are many ways in which it can be played on – standing and going up and down ramps and even sitting on it and riding down a hill. 
Go For A Walk
Okay, this on might sound a little boring at first. But it doesn’t need to be as I didn’t say where you should walk! Walking is free and so this doesn’t even cost a penny. Search out a new location. Close to home, further away, wherever you think will have good views, be a comfortable distance and somewhere different. We regularly walk down our local canal as the kids love watching the ducks playing in the water. 
Have A Beach Day
A beach walk is even better, and you can go and cool off in the sea on a sunny day. Beaches offer loads of ways for kids to get active, including games, rock-pooling, swimming, and plenty of running around. Take a ball, a Frisbee, even a kite and let the fun keep going.
Most importantly, just try and get outdoors as much as you can. The weather is no excuse. Kids love playing in the rain. The snow is even better! If outdoor play isn’t an option, just turn off the TV and turn your house into your very own obstacle course. 
Just make sure you do things together as a family, that’s the best way to get kids to be more active!

3 Comments

  • Kayleigh Watkins

    We are lucky enough to live close to a few beautiful nature reserves so I the weather is nice we visit them so our children can run around and play, they also love exploring the wildlife, and on the days were the weather isn't to good we have a leisure centre across the road so we enjoy going swimming xxx

  • Margaret

    It's amazing what fun all the family can have – we love our walks and adventure playground fun -just taking a bat and ball to the beach is FAB too

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