Answers (16)
2
I've found this one kind of difficult, as my little guy is only 3 right now, so we have vastly different levels of ability. However, I feel that it is important to incorporate the little ones in any exercise activities you can so they can grow up with an appreciation and respect for fitness.
When my son was a little younger and he was a little less mobile, I would go for a jog to the park, with him in the stroller. Once we arrived, I could rest a little while he played and ran around outside.
However, when they get a little older, it becomes key to make sure the kids are engaged in the activity, and not just taken along for the ride, so to speak. Try to choose activities that are good for varying skill levels. Some ideas are:
- hiking any local trails
- basketball, soccer, etc at your local park
- indoor climbing gyms
When my son was a little younger and he was a little less mobile, I would go for a jog to the park, with him in the stroller. Once we arrived, I could rest a little while he played and ran around outside.
However, when they get a little older, it becomes key to make sure the kids are engaged in the activity, and not just taken along for the ride, so to speak. Try to choose activities that are good for varying skill levels. Some ideas are:
- hiking any local trails
- basketball, soccer, etc at your local park
- indoor climbing gyms
2
Our family recently started doing 5k's together. My husband will run with our 11 year old & I will run with our 9 year old. It's good because we all win by crossing the finish line. It's also great to have each family member support the other person. There is no competing since the only one you are competing against is yourself & your previous race finish time.
1
Think back to the time you were in school and in PE. Now you many not have liked PE, but there is tag, dodgeball (well something else now!), flag football, what about relay teams, three-legged races, follow the leader, freeze tag....
0
Going to the park is a staple in my family just about every weekend.
Presently, my 15-year-old son will bring his soccer ball and skateboard to Central Park meet up with some friends or strangers and play
Just about every weekend my husband and I will put our Kangoo Jumps on and go to the Skaters Rink at Central Park and jump for several hours.
My son used to enjoy Kangoo Jumping but it looks like now I'll have to get him a pair of Powerskips.
Presently, my 15-year-old son will bring his soccer ball and skateboard to Central Park meet up with some friends or strangers and play
Just about every weekend my husband and I will put our Kangoo Jumps on and go to the Skaters Rink at Central Park and jump for several hours.
My son used to enjoy Kangoo Jumping but it looks like now I'll have to get him a pair of Powerskips.
0
I have a 10 year old brother and he plays a variety of sports, but we also go running and biking together.
Find out what your kids like to do and find a way to participate with them -- even if it's something you may look or feel silly doing, like dancing or playing tag! What you do with your kids will be highly dependent on the child's age, maturity level, and coordination.
Find out what your kids like to do and find a way to participate with them -- even if it's something you may look or feel silly doing, like dancing or playing tag! What you do with your kids will be highly dependent on the child's age, maturity level, and coordination.
0
See if they like something you love like skiing, hiking, biking, running, soccer, etc. If you are interested in the activity too, it will make it more fun for everyone. Play, play, play - you get to have fun too! So find something you like or something you'd like to try and do it!
0
Go outside with your kids and play with them. Kids who play with their parents while growing up seem to be the one's who stay active and have a better relationship with their parent(s). There are old games that you played growing up that are fun(cardio) and new games that they may have learned that may help you as well.
0
I have three children from the ages of 10 to 3 they are all at different levels of coordination and strength but they all love to have fun and jump around.
I try to do things they all can do. We like to kick the soccer ball, play foot ball, have relay races. My kids also love jumping jacks, sit ups, push ups, wheel barrow, and they love yoga and stretching as well.
The key is to make it fun so the kids enjoy it!
I try to do things they all can do. We like to kick the soccer ball, play foot ball, have relay races. My kids also love jumping jacks, sit ups, push ups, wheel barrow, and they love yoga and stretching as well.
The key is to make it fun so the kids enjoy it!
0
Right now I would recommend the Wii because that is what interests me and that's how I get a majority of my workouts. Over the years, I've developed easy to learn fitness formats using some of the popular Wii software developed by Nintendo and other software developers such as Konami (DanceDanceRevolution) and Ubisoft (Rayman Raving Rabbids). I've played, I mean exercised, with kids of all ages the youngest probably around 5 years old. Before the Wii, when I was actively teaching all over town, my daughters would accompany me to all my classes and sit and play while watching. Just watching me seemed to inspire a love of movement and fitness. Since I worked at a University, the kids had access to the facilities there and were able to try wall-climbing and diving lessons. When you are having fun, believe me they will want to share in that fun with you.
0
I have a few ideas:
1) Most facilities offer a parent/tot option. Obviously, this lasts for only a few years.
2) Be the role model. If our kids see us moving around, they are less likely to be sitting on the couch. They'll feel left out.
3) Organize challenges: first one/pair/team to complete a certain task like finish a race, obstacle course, run hills in the park, do push ups, squats, whatever....WINS!! (the prize is yours to figure out).
4) Make it natural: instead of driving somewhere in the neighborhood, walk. Too many kids these days spend more time in cars than on bikes, for example. Basically, don't make such a big deal of it. Just plant the seed that physical activity is fun!
5) Have a dance party in your living room.
6) Play any game outside: tag, baseball, simon says, etc...for some reason more people appear to move more freely when outside.
7) Make a day of it: find an interesting trail, pack a lunch, snacks and water, bring phone/camera/video to document all the great scenery and happenings.
Basically, we are only limited by our imaginations!!
1) Most facilities offer a parent/tot option. Obviously, this lasts for only a few years.
2) Be the role model. If our kids see us moving around, they are less likely to be sitting on the couch. They'll feel left out.
3) Organize challenges: first one/pair/team to complete a certain task like finish a race, obstacle course, run hills in the park, do push ups, squats, whatever....WINS!! (the prize is yours to figure out).
4) Make it natural: instead of driving somewhere in the neighborhood, walk. Too many kids these days spend more time in cars than on bikes, for example. Basically, don't make such a big deal of it. Just plant the seed that physical activity is fun!
5) Have a dance party in your living room.
6) Play any game outside: tag, baseball, simon says, etc...for some reason more people appear to move more freely when outside.
7) Make a day of it: find an interesting trail, pack a lunch, snacks and water, bring phone/camera/video to document all the great scenery and happenings.
Basically, we are only limited by our imaginations!!
0
Fun, fun, fun. I have a 7 and 4 yr old and make sure they do something active daily but vary what it is every day so they don't get bored or only work the same muscles/activities. With little kids, they love to act like animals. A little older, incorporate time or competition goals. Find out what they want too.
0
My daughter is now 19. Activities that we did together.
Pre-school, elementary school age:
creative dance
creative movement
activities that promote locomotor and axial movements
walking/hiking
Middle school:
ice skating
dance
group exercise
walking/hiking
High school/college
dance
group exercise
walking
Pre-school, elementary school age:
creative dance
creative movement
activities that promote locomotor and axial movements
walking/hiking
Middle school:
ice skating
dance
group exercise
walking/hiking
High school/college
dance
group exercise
walking
0
Make a game out of whatever you are doing! Create imagery to keep the kids engaged, be silly, and do things that they like! If you can get a hold of some sports equipment that always helps to have something to play with.
Playball is an awesome program that teaches sports skills to preschool kids age 2-6, check it out:
http://www.deedee.usaplayball.com
Hope that helps!
Playball is an awesome program that teaches sports skills to preschool kids age 2-6, check it out:
http://www.deedee.usaplayball.com
Hope that helps!
0
I hold a weekly workout (Yoga, self defense, etc) just for friends and family. Its not a training session per say, as I am working out as well. I just field A LOT of questions throughout it.. but, I love it! There is a playground right outside my studio window and the parents usually take full advantage of that babysitter, but I also incorporate the children in some of the more fun workouts or make everyone go outside and play with the kids. Wanna talk about a workout!!!
0
check out the IYCA blog. The International Youth Conditioning Association's whole purpose is kids. You will find some excellent ideas there.
0
Turn off the TV
Go to a park
Ride Bikes
Go to the Beach
When my kids were younger they could pick an activity from my list such as join a dance class, play soccer etc!
I limited TV or screen time to one hour a day
Go to a park
Ride Bikes
Go to the Beach
When my kids were younger they could pick an activity from my list such as join a dance class, play soccer etc!
I limited TV or screen time to one hour a day
