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6 Ways To Be More Physically Active As A Family

To be more physically active, it’s a good idea to get the whole family to join in.

Rather than mom or dad heading off to their exercise class once a week, physical activities can be chosen specifically to allow the children to exercise, burn off some energy, and get involved too.

6 Ways To Be More Physically Active As A Family

Here are 6 ways that the family can become healthier by being more active. 

1. Take a Stroll After Your Evening Meal

While the kids may tend to either jump on the gaming console or perch themselves in front of the TV, make a deliberate routine of stepping outside after dinner time.

Get the family involved in a nightly walk around the neighborhood or explore interesting places.

Whether it’s cold and they need to wrap up warm, or spring runs into summer and it’s necessary to plan ahead for warm humid weather, take it all in your stride.

2. Play Sports Together

Playing sports together is a great way to get the whole family involved in exercise.

A game of tennis, for example, helps you all to stretch your legs, perfect your serve, or get a drop shot just over the net and win the match.

Going jogging round the park is something that a parent can do with a child.

If there are two children at different ages and levels of physical development, it’s useful to take them out separately.

It will help to keep them better behaved and the speed of walking or jogging can be adjusted to suit the child’s capabilities.

3. Do Some Yardwork

While not every child will have a green thumb, there’s still plenty to get done in the garden and around the backyard at their own pace.

The whole family can get stuck into improving appearances.

6 Ways To Be More Physically Active As A Family

A patio or deck can be swept by a pre-teen, a teenager can rake the leaves in the fall, and older kids can remove weeds.

Parents can mow the lawn, assist in weeding, and help with putting in new plants too. 

4. Do Yoga Together

Instead of one or another parent going to a local yoga class, order yoga mats for everyone and do it in the living room, garage, or in the park.

Teach the kids by example, but also show them some beginner yoga moves using YouTube videos.

They’ll be familiar with the site/app, and so won’t be immediately put off by the new idea.

Kids lead more stressful lives now too.

If they’ve previously not gotten enough exercise, then some yoga can help them to limber up and strengthen their bodies.

They’re less likely to get injured with sports at school that way too.

5. Go Swimming at the Pool

The swimming pool is a great equalizer.

The family can go armed with swimming goggles and armbands for the newbies.

Learning to swim is a rite of passage for children.

They’re almost all scared at first, but as a parent, you can help them push past their initial reluctance and succeed.

A good life lesson there. Also, it’s useful later when going on vacation to lakeside or beach spots to give the kids more freedom.

6. Hit the Trails

Hiking trails are something that a young couple may have previously enjoyed but gave up when the kids arrived.

6 Ways To Be More Physically Active As A Family

However, parents with kids that are at least 8 years old can certainly attempt some of the shorter, easier trails.

When your kids have outgrown the evening walks and are eager for something more robust, basic short hiking trails are the answer.

While it requires a concerted effort at times to get your children to exercise, it’s best to not call it that.

Include physical activities as often as possible in your family life, so they don’t get noticed as intentional physical activity.

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