Kids need daily physical activity just as much as adults to support strength, health and happiness. Incorporate these ideas into your routine to help kids stay active all summer long.

Schools out, and it’s almost officially summer. For many families, that means some big changes to the typical school year routines. What doesn’t change, though, is the need to help kids stay active.

Just as adults need to keep moving, it’s important for kids to get daily physical activity, too. Don’t allow kids to lay around watching TV, playing video games or sitting at the computer all summer long. Make sure they stay happy, healthy and fit by setting-up and incorporating one or all of these fun activities into their summer routine.

Buy Toys That Require Kids To Be Active

Forgo the video games for toys that will engage kids in physical activity.  A basketball and hoop, volleyball net, hula-hoop or pogo sticks are great toys that are fun and demand movement to play.

Invest In A Trampoline

I call this the gift that keeps on giving!  Kids can spend hours on a trampoline jumping, flipping, running and creating games with their friends.  Trampolines are not just for kids, either.  Adults can enjoy the fun too, and get a great workout while doing it.

Coordinate a Neighborhood Game Or Fitness Activity

Get together with your neighbors to organize a weekly game or two for the kids.  Then, alternate games for each day of the week.  For example: Monday might be a neighborhood game of hide-n-seek, Tuesday hop-scotch, Wednesday the kids choose a house to play co-ed dodge ball, then Thursday coordinate a side-walk chalk drawling competition. Include the kids in creating and organizing the fun, so that they can eventually organize events on their own.

Invest in a Local Pool Pass or YMCA

Swimming is a great form of exercise and most kids really enjoy it. If you don’t have a pool, invest in a community pool pass or join the local YMCA/YWCA. Memberships are relatively inexpensive and provide loads of activities for kids. Even if they are not swimming in the pool, they can get activity by playing and splashing with other kids.

Stay Active By Biking, Skating, Blading or Riding

Get the bikes out as a family and hit the pavement.  If bicycling is not an option, find a motor toy that your child loves.  A scooter, skateboard, roller blades or roller skates are just a few options.  Just make sure after you invest in these items, they don’t collect dust in the garage.

Sign Up For A Family Fun Run

Signing up for a 5k doesn’t mean you have to become a runner. They are loads of family walking events that you can participate in. Participating in organized events gets kids into the community, where they can meet like-minded people. If they really enjoy it, maybe they’ll want to take it a step farther and run the next event.

Take The Kids On A Hike

I may be bias, but hiking is a fantastic family activity. It teaches kids to appreciate nature while engaging them in physical activity. Start with a simple nature walk at the community park. If they like it, seek out other trails that offer good scenery or something cool to view at the end.

However you choose to help kids stay active this summer, make sure it is fun. When possible, make it is a family affair.  Teaching kids to enjoy games, human engagement and physical activity encourages a future filled with health and happiness.

After the physical fun, get the kids in the kitchen to have some fun with food. Check out these 5 simple snacks to make with kids.

Have a fun summer!

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