How to become a more active family in just three steps
Do you wish your family spent more time playing and moving? It’s a goal that’s well within reach! Physical activity has so many benefits for all of us—kids and adults alike—and it’s about finding ways to fit bursts of movement into our busy days. Start with these tips. Pick one, and try to make it happen over the next couple weeks.
1. Get outside
The outdoors prompts kids to play in imaginative, active ways, and it also offers mental and emotional health benefits like reduced stress and improved focus. Getting outside as a family doesn’t have to be a complicated, daylong expedition. Think about potential play areas near your home, like parks, walking paths, sidewalks, fields. Then think about how you can venture there as a family this week. If you kids need some play inspiration once you get there, try these fun sidewalk games or this great nature scavenger hunt.
Or, if you pick up your kids from school, stay for half an hour to play on the playground together. Or perhaps you can you hit up a park on your way home? Fun games like hopscotch, skipping, tightrope walk, and climbing trees are all simple ways to develop physical literacy. Let kids explore and take risks without direction. Dress for the weather and you can enjoy outdoor play all year round!
2. Get active as a family
Enjoying active family time also doesn’t have to be anything overwhelming. Think walks around your neighbourhood, bike rides, throwing a ball together at the park, or playing on the monkey bars. Active transportation to and from school is wonderful, too, if your child’s school is close enough to your home.
Mom and blogger Tanya Koob has had success with creating a monthly active bucket list with her kids. It’s a big brainstorm of activities they can do together after school.
Find the things you love to do as a family—whether that’s nature walks, swimming, skating, or gymnastics—and incorporate them into your regular routine. Try lots of different sports and activities with your kids. They’ll love learning right alongside you.
3. Be an active role model
Our kids are always watching us. What are we doing? How are we spending our free time? Keep in mind that parents and caregivers play an important role in modelling a healthy lifestyle for our children.
Prioritize your own well-being—because you deserve it and your kids need to see you taking care of yourself. That’s how they’ll learn how to take care of themselves. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Set screen time limits for yourself and stick to them.
- If you’re not used to an active lifestyle, start slowly and build on that. (It’s never too late to become active for life!)
- Don’t feel you have to commit to one way of being active. Try lots of different things and encourage your kids to do the same thing. Take lessons, try classes, walk around the block, do yoga, try a new sport, or choose active transportation more often.
- Try to get more rest.
- Find a friend who’s willing to be active with you.
- Most importantly, have fun—whatever activity you do!
We know life is busy and sometimes overwhelming, but we also know that you’ve got this and we’re here to support you all the way. Sign up for our newsletter and we’ll send you tips, info, and encouragement every month.
Editor’s note: This article was published on Oct. 15, 2015.
