Last week I posted the first of a two-part series, Raising Active Kids, and shared my son running the Warrior Dash. Today, Tips for Raising Active Kids. What has worked for my family.
1. Start young. From baby swim classes to learning how to ride bikes to t-ball. Start when kids are young so they grow up living a active lifestyle.
2. Lead by example. If you want kids to be active you have to make being active a priority for yourself. You can't just "talk" being active.
3. Active Family Time. For family time, sometimes choose physical activities. Take a walk. Ride bikes. Jump on a trampoline. Be active together!
4. Limit Screen Time. We have no TV days in our house during the school year and during the summer no more than 1 hour/day. Computer time is limited too. There is the occasional "that's not fair" argument but they eventually find other things to do.
5. Make Being Active Fun. Don't focus so much on must-do exercises. Find things they enjoy, let them try new things and make being active fun. And when they're young and trying new things let them set the pace. Don't force them to continue something they don't like to do. See a commitment through and then find something else.
6. Encourage Movement Through Gifts. Give them a basketball or a bike. Or maybe rollerblades. Something that.
7. Excitement and Enthusiasm. Find something active that you love doing. And show your enthusiasm and excitement. Get their attention!
8. Keep It Simple. Being active does not have to be time consuming or complicated. Take family walks. It's easy, fun, and inexpensive. Very relaxing and a great way to end the day.
8. Show Your Support. Whatever they do show your support with attention and encouragement. Be proud of their accomplishments and attempts. Praise them for trying and doing their best.
Hopefully that list of 8 tips is enough to get you thinking.
What are your tips for raising active kids? What have you tried that works great with your kids? What are you going to do today to encourage activity?
Great post. I am always looking for great tips to help keep my kids active. Ever since I've started running and supporting running/biking events for my friends, they have been begging me to do a mini triathlon. That makes me happy!
Posted by: Nikki | June 30, 2011 at 12:04 PM
Great ideas! I find that just turning off the TV, XBox, and computer does wonders for my kids' activity levels. Once I "force" them, they find things to do. I also like to sign them up for sports. They grumble about it from time to time, but get over it easy enough.
Christina
P.S. Visiting from voiceBoks!
♥
Posted by: Christina | June 30, 2011 at 01:10 PM
Hi Christina. Nice to meet you!
Jill Conyers
My Blog: http://jillconyers.typepad.com/
How often in life we complete a task that was beyond the capability of the person we were when we started it. ~Robert Brault
Posted by: jillconyers | June 30, 2011 at 02:17 PM
Hi Nikki. A mini tri would be fun. Thanks for stopping by!
Jill Conyers
My Blog: http://jillconyers.typepad.com/
How often in life we complete a task that was beyond the capability of the person we were when we started it. ~Robert Brault
Posted by: jillconyers | June 30, 2011 at 02:22 PM
These are great tips. Keeping my kids active is really important to me. My daughter is only 10 months, but she does wake up with me in the mornings for my workout, so I'm hoping to influence her. My son is 3, and recently did a "Small Fry Try"- a little "Triathlon" for pre-schoolers. He was so excited to get a race number "Like Mommy". I think leading by example is working so far!
Sarah
Posted by: Sarah | June 30, 2011 at 04:08 PM
Sarah that is great! Love Small Fry Try :) I'm sure what you're doing is an influence on your kids, even the 10 month old. I remember when my kids ran their first race that included bibs. Great memories. Thanks for stopping by!
Jill Conyers
My Blog: http://jillconyers.typepad.com/
How often in life we complete a task that was beyond the capability of the person we were when we started it. ~Robert Brault
Posted by: jillconyers | June 30, 2011 at 04:17 PM
Great tips Jill! I having a bit of the struggle with the screen time, especially on days when the girls are sick, or weather is bad.But trying to encourage board game time on these days.
Posted by: Rani | July 01, 2011 at 01:32 AM
Excellent information. I shared this post on twitter this morning. I do many of these things. It's super important for everyone to stay active. I told my brother I was jogging with my kids. He thought that should be something I do for myself. He doesn't have kids and doesn't get why jogging with them IS something for myself.
Posted by: Michelle Breum | July 01, 2011 at 09:08 AM
Thank you Michelle! What we do with our kids now will teach them for a lifetime! Just visited and followed your blog :)
Jill Conyers
My Blog: http://jillconyers.typepad.com/
How often in life we complete a task that was beyond the capability of the person we were when we started it. ~Robert Brault
Posted by: jillconyers | July 01, 2011 at 09:27 AM
Hi Rani! It seems like limiting screen time is a struggle for a lot of people.
Jill Conyers
My Blog: http://jillconyers.typepad.com/
How often in life we complete a task that was beyond the capability of the person we were when we started it. ~Robert Brault
Posted by: jillconyers | July 04, 2011 at 05:02 AM
One happy family, healthy lifesyle is a good one to learn by our children.
Posted by: Warrior dash | July 29, 2011 at 04:32 AM