The Mom Crowd

It is a piece of news that we hear often- children today are not as active as they should be. This is leading to many health problems that past generations of children never had to cope with. What children need is to be encouraged to go outside more to play and thus be more active. If your child would rather stay inside and play on the computer or hang out in front of the television set then here are some ideas to encourage your daughter or son to lace up their sneakers and enjoy some outdoor fun.

Set the right example for your child

If you do not practice what you preach then you are not setting a good example for your child to follow, no matter what their age. When you are active you then become a positive guide for your child. Go for walks, go for bike rides,  go to the gym and take a class or spend time on the treadmill or the Stairmaster, do sit ups and push-ups in your living room or skip rope in your backyard. The important thing is that you keep active and your child sees you doing this. Find ways to include family members into your regular physical activities, both inside and outside.

Provide as much variety for your child as possible

If your child does only one type of outdoor activity then boredom can easily set in. That is why you need to provide your child with as much variety as possible to keep him enthused in being active outdoors. On one day he may wish to ride his bicycle. On another day he may wish to throw a Frisbee or a ball around in the backyard with friends and on another day play with his basketball. The more options your child has in terms of outdoor activities and sports the more he will come to associate being active with fun and enjoyment.

Make physical activity a family affair

At least once during the course of a week engage in an outdoor family outing together. It may be swimming in the lake, taking a walk in the park, playing badminton in the back yard or riding your bikes together in your neighborhood. Get as many family members together to join in as possible. You want your children to find pleasure in participating in outdoor physical activities. You want your son or daughter to find passion, fun and excitement in getting fit and staying that way. You never want exercise and being physically active outdoors to be a chore. If your child thinks of it as drudgery then his PlayStation is going to hold more appeal for him.

If your child likes a team sport then support him or her in that

If your child expresses interest in participating in a team sport then sign him up and be his cheering squad! Not only is this an excellent way to remain physically active and fit but it is also a wonderful way to meet new people and make friends and to improve your child’s ability to develop skills as team player. Investing in your child’s health and well-being is so important.

Talk to your child and find out what he likes doing

You cannot know what physical activities or sports your child would like to get involved in until you ask. Find out what he or she wants to do and enjoys doing and then help him in that. Maybe your child wants a new bicycle, a new pair of hockey skates, a scooter or some other type of sports equipment. You could buy what he/she wants for Christmas or as a birthday gift.  By showing interest in this you can build interest in outdoor physical activities for your son or daughter.