Doubtful about the power of those distractions? Then just take a moment to think back to how much you loved guiding a 16-bit blue hedgehog through 2D levels in the 90s. But I digress.
If you want to get kids active, you must make them want to do it. Here’s how.
Find A Team Sport
Team sports are great for many reasons. Aside from physical activity, it gives kids a chance to develop key skills. Like coordination, logic, communication, and teamwork. Likewise, the social element guarantees that it will deliver some of their best childhood memories. Football, rugby, netball, and team athletics are all good examples. And there are many more.
Even if they don’t find a team, casual pay per session options are readily available.
2. Help Them Learn A Martial Art
Another form of organised exercise can come courtesy of martial arts. They teach self defence, which can be hugely important, while also working on your child’s strength and core. Again, a social element is gained from training with friends and new acquaintances. In fact, it is something that you may enjoy as a parent and child activity.
Your child might not compete, but earning their belts will yield a sense of achievement.
Image - Pixabay (CC0)
3. Get Them On The Water
Fitness shouldn’t be a chore for kids, it should be fun. Water-based activities are a perfect example. Getting kids into kayaking, waterskiing, or similar activities can deliver a plethora of benefits. Alternatively, you can look at the traditional water activities like swimming. Either way, the enjoyment means that they’ll want to do this rather than stay inside.
On a side note, water-based activities keep kids away from their gadgets.
4. Explore Fun Areas
Exercise doesn’t only come from sports. Simply taking more steps and being more active is equally rewarding. So, visiting places of interest or taking family bike rides can be an ideal solution. You get to create memories as a family while parents also get more exercise this way. When followed by family mealtimes, the benefits become even greater still.
If nothing else, it’ll promote a positive relationship with exercise for the long haul.
5. Embrace Tech
While technology may distract kids at times, it isn’t the enemy some people paint it out to be. In fact, you can integrate tech devices into exercise. While kids might not follow an online fitness class, they’ll probably be more receptive to AR experiences like Pokemon Go. Or you can find fun VR games to stay active while playing video games at home. Easy.
When a child falls in love with the VR activity, they’ll want to try the real life version too.
