5 FAMILY ACTIVITIES TO STAY HEALTHY AND FIT

Thanks to recent social distancing measures that affect businesses and schools, most of us are spending a lot more time at home with our families this summer and autumn.

With many public recreation activities restricted, it’s more difficult for adults and kids alike to stay active. But more time at home doesn’t have to mean being a couch potato. Here are five simple and fun ways to get your family moving:

WALKING

When was the last time you walked the sidewalks around your neighborhood, noticing local nature and history? Walking together as a family creates time for exploration, conversation, and connection, while also providing an excellent cardiovascular workout. Furthermore, your family walks don’t have to end with your neighborhood sidewalks. Odds are, there probably are parks and hiking trails in your area that you don’t even know about. Visit your local parks and recreation website to find nature trails near you, then gear up for a hiking adventure!

BIKING

No matter your age, there’s something very special about feeling the air rushing by on a swift bike ride. Biking is another great way to get to know your neighborhood and neighborhood parks, as well as teaching your children valuable motor control and navigation skills. For us busy grownups, biking is just about the best cardio calorie-burning exercise you can ask for. Conquer the biking trails of your neighborhood, and become the fittest family on the block!

GARDENING

Sometimes, the best adventures (and the best workouts!) can be found right in our backyards. Get your kids involved with gardening and light yard work to encourage their physical activity while also teaching them to be good stewards of the earth.

Activities like weeding, planting, and clearing away autumn leaves are easy for even small children to understand. Gardening with your family will create a sense of accomplishment and teamwork, while keeping you active at the same time.

YOGA

So far, we’ve only looked at outdoor family activities. But what about days when going outside is impossible? If your family needs a way to get the wiggles out on a rainy afternoon, then look no further than children’s yoga routines. You can find all sorts of kid-friendly guided yoga videos with a simple YouTube search. Your kids will have so much fun with these engaging routines, they won’t even realize they’re learning flexibility, balance, relaxation, and self-control!

DANCING

Dancing is one of the best ways to get in touch with our bodies, but is often overlooked in exercise guides for adults and children alike. Dancing teaches us about rhythm, music, culture, and movement, but most importantly, it’s a lot of fun!

Like yoga, dance is a versatile exercise that can be done either indoors or outside. Older kids might enjoy coordinated online dance classes like Zumba. For smaller kiddos, just turn up some lively tunes for a freestyle boogie.

There is no better gift you can give your family than an active lifestyle. Use these five fun techniques to build lifelong fitness skills.