With the start of summer fast approaching, it’s time to get the kids outside and moving. There are so many ways to encourage them to be active—and they can even have fun in the process!
Here are a few ideas that will help you get them motivated (and keep them engaged) with exercise.
Get Them Moving With Outdoor Activities
If your kid is into sports or other outdoor activities, it can be easy to get them involved. They might love teaming up with their friends, or simply taking part themselves. It’s important to remember that most kids need some kind of structure when it comes to exercising. If they don’t see an end goal, they may not want to keep going.
Start small by getting out on a park trail together. Or find a local sporting event or game where they can participate. Once they’re used to being active and having fun, they’ll be more likely to continue doing it on their own.
Take Them Fishing
Fishing is great for just about any age group. And if your child has never been fishing before, it may seem like something that would scare him. But he’ll quickly learn that it doesn’t have to be scary at all. In fact, there are many fun things you can do while you fish. Your child can hold the rod and reel while you work the boat, play catch with his or her dad, or go crabbing.
You can also take them to a lake or pond that offers fishing lessons. This way, he or she will know how to cast properly, how to bait the hook, and how to use the proper tools. By teaching these skills early, they’ll be ready to go fishing on their own.
Let Them Join A Team
There are lots of different sports that kids can join, from baseball to soccer to basketball. Find one that suits their interests and abilities, and then invite them to join the team. Not only will they enjoy playing, but they’ll also gain confidence by competing against others.
The benefits of this type of exercise for kids include greater self-esteem, improved athletic prowess, and increased independence. All in all, it’s a win-win situation for everyone involved.
Try Something New
Incorporating new types of exercises into a child’s daily routine can help them stay fit and healthy. Try yoga, swimming, kickboxing, tai chi, dance classes, or anything else that strikes their fancy.
If you think your child would benefit from something like Zumba or boxing, check out the nearest gym. Most gyms offer free trial periods to new clients, which means you won’t have to spend any money to give it a try. Just make sure that the class isn’t too intense. Otherwise, ask the instructor for modifications if necessary.
Once you decide what activity you want to incorporate into your child’s life, make sure you set aside enough time each week to practice. Don’t expect them to go off and become experts overnight, but they should start seeing results within a couple of weeks.
Take Up Yoga
Yoga is becoming increasingly popular among adults as well. For kids, however, it might still seem foreign. However, practicing yoga can improve flexibility, strength, coordination, and balance—all of which are essential to a long and happy life.
Even better, it doesn’t require expensive equipment or special training. Simply visit a yoga studio and sign up for a free session. Afterward, you can bring your child back anytime to practice on their own. He or she will feel confident and relaxed, making it easier to stick with the program in the future.
Keep Track Of Their Progress
One of the best things you can do for your children is to keep track of their progress. Whether it’s through pictures or videos, you can document their efforts over time. This way, they can see that hard work pays off.
Encourage Them To Keep Going
It’s not always easy to keep exercising once you start. Sometimes you get lazy and forget why you started in the first place. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to encourage your child to move forward. One idea is to reward them for their accomplishments, whether they’ve completed several laps around the block or reached a particular weight loss target.
People love to have various forms of activities that are available in general.
Another trick is to tell them that they are “only halfway done” whenever they reach a goal. This helps them focus on the next step instead of letting their motivation wane. Finally, make sure they understand that no matter what they achieve, they can always do more and push themselves further than ever before.
