Today was a beautiful and sunny spring day where we live. My wife had been on a walk in the afternoon and observed kids flying a kite. They were in a large open field and were running back and forth to get their kites in the sky. On occasion their kites would lose their air and plummet to the ground and the process started all over again. My wife commented on how much the kids were moving and it was all for fun.
Often we get caught up in the thought that childhood fitness is just about sports and exercise but often it is just about moving and enjoyment. After all, don’t we mainly want our kids to enjoy life and be healthy? Movement is the key to health. In fact I have said it is the best preventative medication available. So as parents we need to find fun ways to get our kids moving.
For younger kids playing at the playground is an easy way to have fun and move at the same time. Have you ever watched kids at a playground? They run, jump, chase and climb. Most of the time it is nonstop. Kids on a playground can easily get their heart rates up to provide aerobic activity. An added benefit to the playground is that there is also socialization that is happening. I feel that playgrounds are often an underrated form of activity.
Playing with a dog can also be a great way to get your child to move. I came to this revelation a few months ago when I was visiting my daughter and son in law. It was actually colder weather and we took their dog Brewer outside to play. We were playing fetch and keep away and we were chasing each other at times. Shortly after we started I began to sweat and even had to lose a few layers of clothes. I definitely burned some calories. If you are getting a dog to help your child be more active do some research on the bread so you get a dog that is playful.
Driveway play or yard play is also an often overlooked form of activity. My children who were always involved in sports benefited from play in their driveway and yard. This type of play was beneficial because it was only for fun. They did not have to perform or do what they were coached to do. It was just joyful movement. I think this type of free play can help some kids to not get burnt out of the sports they do participate in. Driveway play can consist of skateboards, scooters, rollerblades, hula hoops, jump rope, and numerous other activities that can keep your child moving. Yard play can include trampolines, frisbees, playsets and anything your child enjoys doing that gets their bodies moving.
There are two main things to do so that fun will help your child’s fitness. First off you need to have items to use. Purchase things for your children that provide activity. If money is tight you can get things at a second hand sports store or when buying gifts for Christmas or Birthdays make sure that you give some thought to gifts that help them play. The second thing is that your child needs to be doing them frequently. My motto is that kids should be outside everyday that the weather allows. So if you want physically fit children they have to Move It and have fun.
