Title: Helping Your Child Stay Fit
Author: Kirsten Hawkins
Article:
Would your child rather watch television and play video games
all day than move an inch? Children are battling obesity and
inactivity at alarming rates. It's time to get our kids in shape
now, before they face serious health problems in the future. But
how?
As you can guess, the plan includes lots of fun. Any time you
can add excitement and laughter into an activity, you've got a
winner. Let's take a look at some of the ways you can help your
child not only become healthier, but enjoy the process!
First, plan some family nights out, and by that I mean Outdoors.
Catching fireflies, passing football, even camping out in the
backyard get the whole gang moving. Plus, you're making memories
for a lifetime.
Secondly, kids love fun, unusual games. Check out a book of
outdoor games at the library, and play some of the oddest ones.
Use a tennis racket and large plastic ball for baseball, a giant
exercise ball for kickball, and balloons for volleyball. The
simple changes make the game more fun -sometimes downright
hysterical!
Next, it's time to look for a physical hobby - something that
requires movement. Gardening's a great one - plant giant
pumpkins, King Sunflowers, grape tomatoes, mini carrots, and
odd-shaped gourds for novelty. Check out a book on carpentry for
kids, and let your child learn to build some simple items like
birdhouses and feeders.
You may want to consider investing in one of the large,
inflatable waterslides or rock climbing wall. Some of these
inflatable items are surprisingly sturdy and provide hours of
physical fun and exercise.
Finally, enhance your child's creativity as well by having him
or her design an obstacle course in the backyard. Beware! You
may have to run through it, too! But activities that provide fun
and fitness for the whole family can't be beat!
Who knows? Before long you may find the video games on a shelf
gathering dust. Wouldn't that be a nice change of pace?
About the author:
Kirsten Hawkins is a nutrition and health expert from Nashville,
TN. Visit http://www.popular-diets.com/ for more great
nutrition, well-being, and vitamin tips as well as reviews and
comments on popular diets.
Originally Posted: Oct 28, 2005 at 6:00 PM Last Updated: Oct 12, 2008 at 4:43 AM
-- Current Rating: 3 of 5 Click here for a printable version.
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