It goes without saying that regular exercise and a healthy, balanced diet are important all-year-round, but while you might follow these steps yourself, your family may not. If you have young children especially, it’s your role as a parent to ensure your little ones are keeping fit and active.
Although it’s fine to sit and watch television or play video games every now and again, some children spend too much time sat in front of a screen, which can lead to health problems such as obesity in later life.
To avoid this, get your family up and active. With the summer season in full swing, there’s no better time to make the most of the great outdoors. What’s more, you’ll get to spend time with your loved ones all together, which you may not get to do as often as you’d like.
If you’re wondering how to keep your family fit and active, why not try some of the following?
Bike rides
When the sun is shining, dust your bikes off from the shed and go on a group bike ride. Rather than cycling on the roads, which can be dangerous with young children, head to a scenic park with designated cycle paths. This way you’ll be able to safely enjoy your trip and take in the beautiful surroundings.
Remember to wear safety helmets and ensure your bike has the correct reflective lights. It’s also a good idea to take water and some healthy snacks so you can stop off for a break and have a picnic on the grass.
Don’t forget your bike lock if you know you’ll be leaving your bike unattended.
Play with your kids
Even toddlers need to keep active and your back garden is a good place for them to do so. This way you can keep a close eye on them without worrying about your little ones going astray. It’s also a nice idea for you to join in and play with your children, as if they see you getting involved they’re more likely to get stuck in too.
Games such as dodgeball, hopscotch and skipping make for endless amounts of fun, while burning off calories at the same time.
Join a club
Fitness and leisure centres in your local area are sure to have clubs and activities that you can sign up to each week. These are great for families and make for a fun day out.
You could even split into teams and play games like tennis and volleyball against your family members.
Swimming is also a great way to keep fit and tone the body. Pools often have classes, including ones for parent and baby, so it’s worth keeping an eye out for these too.
Walk to school
Walking to school is a simple way for your children to keep active. It will also help to keep them alert throughout the day. While it may be convenient to drop them off by car on your way to work in the morning, set off that bit earlier and walk with them.
Most schools are aware that parents have jobs to go to, so have morning clubs for children to join in before the day begins.
Children who are old enough to travel alone may get the school bus despite them living within walking distance to school, simply as a way of catching up with their friends. In this instance, encourage your child to walk and suggest them meeting up with others who live nearby so they can walk together.
