As a parent, you want to do everything you can to help your children be healthy and happy. But sometimes it's hard to know exactly what they need. As a parent of young children myself, I've noticed that active play is one of the best ways to encourage them to be physically active and get some much-needed exercise. It's also an important part of their development—for example, studies have found that kids who are physically active are better able to concentrate in school and have higher self-esteem.
Active play doesn't have to mean expensive trips or fancy equipment; there are many ways parents can promote activity among their children without breaking the bank. In this guide, I'll share some easy tips for getting kids moving every day!
What is active play?
Active play is any physical activity that gets kids moving and having fun. It can be anything from running around the house to riding a bike to playing tag, and it's important for kids of all ages. Active play helps build motor skills, coordination, strength and bone mass in young children (ages 5-12). It also improves their moods by giving them an opportunity to burn off excess energy so they can focus better at school or home.
In addition to being good for the body, active play has been shown to have positive effects on mental health as well: Children who engage in regular physical activity are less likely than their inactive peers--even those who don't exercise at all--to develop depression later on in life.[1]
Why is it important to teach kids to be active?
Active play is an important part of every child's life. It's especially important for kids of all ages, from toddlers to teens. Active play helps kids develop motor skills, balance, and coordination; social skills like teamwork; and an understanding of their environment.
When you encourage your children to be active on a regular basis, it can also help them develop healthy lifestyles that will last into adulthood.
For example, A study published in Pediatrics found that kids who spent time outdoors were more likely than others to eat fruits and vegetables regularly; another study showed that adolescents who participated in organized sports were less likely than non-athletes to use tobacco products or alcohol by the time they reached age 18--and this benefit was even stronger among girls!
How do I get my kids moving every day?
- Encourage your kids to be active every day.
- Get them moving as soon as they get up in the morning. You can do this by helping them find ways to burn off some energy, such as taking walks together after breakfast and dinner or playing games in the backyard.
- Take them outside to play at least once a day--ideally twice! If it's too cold or hot outside for your child's comfort level, try indoor activities like biking or skating inside on a treadmill or stationary bike instead (just make sure you have parental supervision).
How can I encourage my child to play outside?
Encourage your child to play outside with friends.
Take them to the park or to a playground, and invite other kids over for games like soccer or tag.
Take them hiking on nature trails, where they can explore and get interested in gardening (they might even want to start growing their own food!). Raking leaves or mowing lawns once in a while can also be good active chores for kids, who will enjoy feeling useful when it comes time for spring cleaning! If they're watching TV at home, encourage them every ten minutes or so--and don't forget about physical education classes at school!
What are some fun ways to encourage healthy habits in my kids?
- Get involved in your child's favorite activity. If they love soccer, join the team and get out on the field with them. If they take karate classes, go along for the ride.
- Make it a family affair. Involve other people who have a positive influence on your child, like grandparents or close friends who share similar interests and values as you do (like being active). This way everyone can enjoy spending time together while still promoting healthy habits among young people!
- Encourage them to try new activities--and make sure there are plenty available where you live! There are so many different kinds of sports out there today that it should be easy enough for anyone interested in getting active outside of school hours; just look around at local parks or community centers near where we live in order to find out which ones might suit our needs best before signing up ourselves...
Can I use technology with my kids and still encourage them to be active?
There's no need to worry that technology will make your kids sit on their butts all day. Technology can be a great way to keep kids active, especially if you use it in a way that encourages physical activity.
Here are some examples:
- Apps help you track steps and encourage movement throughout the day (for example, the app might tell you when it's time for a break).
- There are also apps that can make outdoor play more fun by adding music or sound effects while playing catch with friends or running around at recess.
And finally, there are lots of games available online where players have to move around as they try not only to win but also avoid getting caught by other players who want them out of the game! This type of game helps develop both mind and body skills such as reflexes and balance while being fun at the same time!
You don't have to look far or spend a lot of money to promote activity and movement among your children.
As a parent, you want your children to be active and healthy. You want them to have fun while they're doing it. You don't need a lot of money or fancy equipment; all you need is imagination.
You can encourage your kids' physical activity by being creative with them in the backyard or at the park, using technology like smartphones and tablets to create games that promote movement (and don't involve sitting), getting everyone involved in sports teams or clubs at school or church--or simply playing outside together as much as possible!
Conclusion
Taking care of your kids' health is one of the most important things you can do as a parent. But it doesn't have to feel like work! You can make sure they're getting enough exercise while also having fun and spending time together as a family. The best thing about active play is that there are so many different ways to get started--all it takes is some creativity on your part! And if all else fails? Just throw on some sneakers and go outside together; good old-fashioned walking provides an excellent way for everyone involved (including yourself) to get moving around more often than not.
