How Parents and Kids Can Be Active Together

Do you typically find yourself spending much of your time sitting throughout the day? Whether it’s in your cube at work or maybe it’s driving your kids everywhere they need to go or how about taking your kids to their activities only so you can sit and watch them be active. I’ve definitely had days that consisted of staring at my computer screen at work wondering how in the world I was going to squeeze a workout into my day. If your day goes anything like this you may be wondering how you can incorporate a more active lifestyle, but even better yet, how you can be more active with your kids.

Of course you could juggle your schedule around to carve out that extra you time for a workout, but what if instead of focusing just on yourself, you figured out a way to incorporate burning those calories with spending more time with your kids. By becoming involved in current physical activities that your children enjoy or identifying shared interests, parents and kids can be active together. Sounds like a win-win to me.

We know many of the benefits of regular physical activity for both ourselves and our children.

• • Reducing the impact of obesity

• • Producing “feel good” endorphins

• • More Energy

• • Sense of accomplishment

• • Self-Esteem

• • Developing muscle and bone development

• • Blood circulation and regulating cholesterol levels

• Stress Relief

As I’ve watched my younger children develop, it tends to be just a part of their daily routine to be moving around, but as we age, being active doesn’t always come as naturally. Kids are in school, sitting during transportation, or spending large amounts of time on video games. So, we can help them to incorporate more physical activity into their routines, by leading the way.

There are things to consider before just jumping into a physical activity.

Think about where your kids are at in their childhood development. A teen is going to respond a lot differently than a toddler with the idea of hanging out with mom or dad for exercise time.

Personalities can have an impact on what is going to be a fulfilling activity.

Your child that is the social butterfly may be looking to experience a physical activity within a large group, while your quiet child probably would be happy with just a one to one activity with you. Some of your kids may want an activity that brings out competition, whereas others may just want an activity that’s fun.

Consider the learning styles of your child.

Younger children tend to have very short attention spans, so if it’s a physical activity that requires a long duration of focus, you may want to reconsider. When I work with younger children, I try to keep things fast paced and activities that last no more than ten minutes.

What are some physical activities that you and your children could enjoy together?

Jiu-Jitsu stems from martial arts and integrates many self-defense techniques. Jiu-Jitsu practices many mindfulness techniques that can be great for reducing stress. It’s a great way to build flexibility, while getting a cardio workout. Many Jiu-Jitsu academies have parent-child or family based classes. Your child will learn how to build confidence in themselves all with you by their side. What a great opportunity to be active with your child improving your overall health. You will get to be a teacher helping your child learn what the instructors are teaching, while solidifying your bond with your child.

Frisbee is a great activity that you can pretty much do anywhere. It’s also very low cost if you are trying to adhere to a budget. Frisbee is a great way to get moving around at a park or just in the backyard together. It’s also not super strenuous, so you have the opportunity to talk with one another. Tossing the Frisbee around for a while with your son or daughter could help prepare them for a game of Ultimate Frisbee. Ultimate Frisbee is an awesome game to play if you can get a group together.

Dance is probably something that your children are already involved in, so maybe they can teach you a thing or two. Try enrolling in a dance that is new for all of you so you can learn and practice together. It’s a great physical activity that also allows for creative expression.

Park games can be a great physical activity that has been done for ages. Games like tag, four square, kick the can, red rover or monkey in the middle are classic games to get the heart pumping.

Practice their sport with them. Many of our kids are involved in some sort of sport, so why not help them improve their sport by getting out there and practicing with them.

Tennis is an underrated sport that could be a great parent child fitness activity. Tennis can be played at a vigorous or slower pace depending on the skill level and ability of those involved. It is excellent for moving around and getting the heart pumping.

Biking is perfect for your kids that maybe don’t need that social component to their fitness routine and just want to get out and enjoy the world around them while burning calories.

Airsoft is the trend nowadays and provides a good physical fitness activity. It provides for a lot of crouching, stooping, and chasing others around to get the heart pumping. Although it may not be the best activity for your younger children, this could be a great activity to do with your older kids. It’s cool enough that your teen may actually give you the time of day if you took them to play some Airsoft. Nerf guns could be a great alternative for your younger kids to enjoy.

Remember when the Wii was all the craze. If it’s difficult to pry your kids off the electronic devices, I’m sure you could dust the Wii off and give it a try. There are a few great fitness based games that you could find for cheap at Gamestop or Amazon. I like these three:

1. Best for Kids: Nickelodeon Fit- Great for younger kids to interact with popular Nick Jr characters.
2. Just Dance 2018- These one is a fun cardio for the whole family to get moving to recent pop songs
3. Best for Zumba: Zumba Fitness 2- Another great workout game that incorporates various dance styles.

You could also try some other tech devices or latest apps for fitness fun. Fitbits are great for having daily step competitions and you can check out my post on kids fitbits.

What are you doing by exercising with your kids?

Here are some of the ways that being involved with your kids through physical fitness will impact them.

Showing you care– When you are taking the time to be with them it tells your kids that you care about them.

Teaching them that exercise is important– When you are emphasizing the need to incorporate physical activity in daily living it reiterates to your kids how healthy living enriches their lives.

Teaching them ways to be active– Brainstorming ideas with your kids and trying new ways to be active helps them to find things they are passionate about. If they enjoy a physical activity they will keep doing it.

Improving your relationship– As you take the time to be with your kids through physical activity you will get to learn more about who they are and how to be there for them.

Building Moments– Quality time comes from the investments you make to be with your kids. Those moments of connecting don’t just come without effort, it’s by putting the time in that we will create deep connections with our kids.

Reducing Stress– Moving around will help our kids burn off that extra energy.

Improving health-Your kids will be able to maintain healthy physical development, maintain a regular weight, and strengthen their bodies through being fit.

Better Sleep-It’ll be much easier for your kids to sleep, when that restless energy has been burnt off through an active day.

If you show your kids that you value physical fitness through your example, it will teach them to value it in their own lives.

Please comment below and let us know what you think!

photo credit: BagoGames Survival Horror Games for the Wii? via photopin (license)

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