Fun Ways to Get Kids Excited About Exercise

If you make exercise fun for kids at an early age, they'll consider it a treat rather than hard work. The way to accomplish that is to turn physical activity into a game so your children will want to "play" it. Yoga stretches become livelier when you name them things like "warrior" and "cobra," and fast-paced races or games of tag generate a lot more interest than simply running. It's even better when you engage in the games as a family. That way, your kids see that the fun never stops.

Go for Yoga

Yoga and other stretching exercises are wonderful ways to warm up for other activities such as running, skiing and skating. But they're also good by themselves---they increase flexibility and concentration in children and adults.

You can make yoga poses fun for kids by introducing them with their informal names---for instance, a balancing position is called "tree pose," and back exercises are "cat" and "cow." For some suggestions on how to begin, visit Familes.com (search for "Fun Yoga Poses").

Spinning Wheels

Cycling is a natural exercise opportunity---and a great way for families to have a good time together. Get the kids interested by creating a race atmosphere. Set a course, sound a starter and time the children to the finish line.

On family rides, include a goal---for instance, a stop for frozen yogurt halfway through. That alone can get kids excited about exercising on a bike.

In the Swim

In addition to swimming classes, introduce your children to fun water exercises. Young kids enjoy activities such as swimming across the pool with a kick board while making motorboat noises. Older ones like being timed so they can beat their own speed. Go to SwimLessonInfo.com for more suggestions.

Run for Fun

Running is natural for kids, so make the most of their interest. Find ideas for obstacle courses, timed runs and relay races on websites such as KidsRunning.com.

And then there's always tag as a delightful form of exercise. Learn how to play it with flashlights, zombie masks and buckets of water on FamilyFun.com (search for "Tag and Chasing").

Net Point

Games that include balls and birdies can make for hours of family fun---and family exercise. Introduce children to badminton, or team kids against parents in volleyball. Play catch with a softball, or engage everyone in shooting hoops. If the kids take a liking to basketball, learn more advanced skills at WinningDrills.com.

References

• Ideas for children's exercises

Resources

• Introduce kids to yoga
• Find swimming exercises
• Have fun with tag

Who Can HelpSponsored

• Tired of Being Tired? Fight Fatigue and Try FRS for FREE!