Getting Kids to Exercise More

Children need exercise for healthy development. But in a world of smart phones, videogames and tablets, getting your kids outside and physically exercise can be a challenge.

In fact, only one in three children are physically active every day according to the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition.  This has seen a rise in childhood obesity, with The Centers for Disease Control reporting that 18.5% of children aged 2 – 19 are obese.

A large part of this is due to the unhealthy eating habits being adopted by young children. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2015 – 2020 recommends that no more than 10% of calories come from added sugar.

However, the same guidelines report that boys aged 9 – 13 are consuming an average of 17% of calories from added sugar, while girls an average of 16%. With sugary drinks and fast food becoming common place in young people’s diet, so does the health risks.

With the lack of physical activity combining with high consumption levels of sugar, it makes sense then that childhood obesity rates are spiking,

What is even more shocking, is that overweight adolescents have a 70% chance of becoming an overweight or obese adult. This is why it’s critical to lay the foundations of a healthy lifestyle at an early age, for success later on in life.

Of course, getting kids to exercise isn’t always as easy as it sounds. So, to help you ‘convince’ them that its in their best interest to go outside for play, here are some ways to motivate them.

Motivate with Rewards

You can motivate your kids with rewards, that don’t include sweet, processed foods of sedentary activities.

Purchase or print out a calendar from the web and stick it somewhere that it can be seen, like your fridge. Every time your children choose to go a physical activity, such as outdoor play or team sports, they get a star.

These stars can be used to redeem rewards at the end of the week, allowing you to set different star ‘prizes’ that can be won. These rewards could range from a trip to the movies, an outdoor play toy or even staying up a little later on weekend nights.

https://pixabay.com/en/swing-playground-children-playing-1188132/

Purchase Outdoor Play Equipment

One of the main reasons why children will stay indoors is because videogames, tablets, television and similar keep them engaged.

Simply put, if they have an empty backyard, it’s hard to get excited when it comes time to play outside. This could then lead to the perfect opportunity at purchasing outdoor play equipment that will entertain for hours.

There are a large range of different options available today as well. Climbing frames for kids are a perfect addition to your outdoor space. They allow for climbing, swinging and balancing – all effective ways of working key muscle groups.

If you want something that can be used out and about consider scooters. They are a great addition to any family and provide a fun way to get out and about. Similarly,  kids wagon carts are growing in popularity. They are ideal for 2 or more kids, as they can take turns sitting and pulling each other in the cart itself.

If the heat is keeping everyone inside, consider play equipment that helps you cool down. Super Soakers are a classic summer play toy and mix well with water bombs. There are even portable lawn water slides that are a blast not just for children, but adults as well.

If your budget is tighter, don’t spending more time to take your kids down to the local park. A ball or a frisbee can do wonders or simply make use of the free playground equipment.

Playing a Team Sport      

Don’t forget that team sports can be a fantastic way of getting kids into physical activities. Not only does it help disguise exercise, but it provides a range of other benefits as well.

A good starting point is to ask their school if they have any internal sports programs available, as this is often is the best way to get them involved. However, if the school does not, or they want to try another sport, most municipalities have recreational sports leagues.

It doesn’t just have to be a purely sporting activity either. There are several physical hobbies or clubs that your children can participate in. This could include something like Scouts, joining a swimming team or even having a go at gymnastics.

Joining a group activity also allows for new friendships to be found and forged, and assists with developing social skills.

Be a Good Influence

One of the better ways to motivate your children is to set a good example yourself. As the old saying goes, ‘actions are better than words’, and it’s proven they mimic behaviours that they see.

A child is almost six times more likely to be active themselves, if their parents are also active according to Science Direct. Get them to participate as much as possible! Get them involved in your fitness routine, even if it’s just joining in for a few minutes.  Or get them to join you in morning jogs or evening strolls. If they are still reluctant to join, just get them to come and observe. It’s significant they at least see you living a healthy lifestyle, as it will translate how important it is in their minds.