As a parent, you want your children to adopt behaviors that promote their health, such as regularly engaging in physical activity. Fortunately, you can play a part in making sure these habits stick. Read on to learn five tips for encouraging your kids to live an active lifestyle.
Model Healthy Behavior for Your Kids
A great way to encourage a behavior is by doing it yourself. Children often learn by observing the habits of those around them, making it essential for parents and caregivers to incorporate physical activity into their daily routines.
Showing enthusiasm for exercise, even if it’s just going for a walk after dinner or doing a quick yoga session in the morning, can inspire your children. Demonstrating consistency and a positive attitude toward physical activity sets an example they are likely to follow.
Give Toys That Get Them Active
When birthdays or special occasions come around, select gifts encouraging kids to be active. For example, equipment for games like frisbee, badminton, or catch often inspires group play, pulling everyone onto the lawn or driveway.
In addition, power cars are a great alternative to screen time since they prompt kids to move as they drive. Having these items around the house will prevent your kids from wanting to stay sedentary.
Sign Up Your Family for Activities
Another tip for encouraging your kids to live an active lifestyle is to sign your family up for energetic events. Community centers, schools, and gyms frequently offer classes or leagues designed for families or groups. Enroll everyone in fun runs, swimming lessons, or dance classes for shared experiences that build coordination.
Participating in these classes adds structure and novelty to your family’s routine. Try to choose activities that all family members enjoy so you can get regular participation and prevent boredom.
Set Aside Time for Family Exercise
You can also treat movement as a nonnegotiable piece of your family’s weekly calendar. By prioritizing activity, you send the message that health ranks high in your household.
Schedule evening walks, bike rides, or workout sessions. Playing music or setting friendly challenges during exercise can make these moments more enjoyable.
Do Lawn Work Together
Raking leaves, planting flowers, sweeping the porch, and similar yard chores require physical exertion. Try assigning yard work tasks to your kids so they can learn the value of working together with family members while staying active. These physical tasks also foster a sense of accomplishment and help your children learn new, useful skills.
Emphasizing the value of physical activity will help your kids learn the importance of good health. These five strategies can cultivate better wellness in your children, empowering them to live longer, more fulfilling lives.
Candid Mama
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