How do you encourage your kids to enjoy exercise and stay active?

[TeamSpirit_Mom]

I’ve been trying to find fun and effective ways to help my kids become more physically active. With so many distractions like screens and homework, it's been a bit of a challenge to get them excited about moving their bodies regularly.
Would love to hear your experiences and suggestions!

[Anonymous]

We talk about exercise as part of good mental health and living a balanced life. The same way we talk about eating healthy, getting enough sleep, getting rest, etc. Like I will tell my kids how doing a hard workout is how I reset when I'm feeling grumpy or irritable, and how working out regularly helps me sleep better and keeps me feeling positive.

We also often propose physical activities for family time. We ride our bikes to the park or to a restaurant for lunch, go hiking when the weather is good, plan kayak trips. I've also taken family yoga classes with them.

And we try to make sure they are doing at least one active activity at all times. Doesn't have to be a sport, could be after school yoga, dance class, rock climbing, etc. Something that forces them to get their bodies moving.

[Anonymous]

This is why youth sports groups exsist.

[Anonymous]

I'm having a lot of trouble with this during such a hot humid summer. It feels too hot for playgrounds, bike riding, or hiking. We have a pool membership but don't make it every day, and when we go too often my youngest starts refusing. The boulder and ninja gyms have AC but they are SO expensive.

[Anonymous]

How old are they?
Limit the screens so they’re not a distraction.
Screens could be weekends only. Or if your kids are home all day in the summer, after 2pm only or something. Pick something then be consistent.
Go for walks/hikes together as a family.
Sign them up for sports to try.

[Anonymous]

Lead by example.

Help them find a sport or activity they enjoy and have them join a team or enroll in lessons, classes, etc. (whatever applies).

Plan family activities that keep them active---hikes or nature walks on weekends, skiing, ice skating, golf, bike rides.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is why youth sports groups exsist.

+1 just like I was raised, my kids have to do a sport every season. Doesn’t have to be high level or the same one all the time, but it must be at least 2x a week and involve your cardiovascular system.

I also follow a healthy lifestyle so I’d like to think that supports the message about the importance of health and movement.

[Anonymous]

No screens during the week. Pool (swim team in summer daily). They loved it this year and made a ton of friends. Also keeping up with martial arts 1-2 times a week. Bike rides and hikes early in this weather on weekends. Like out of the house at 8am. Kids are ES.
Ninja gyms have open play times we go to sometimes but not as a primary activity.

[Anonymous]

I have a 6 yo that says she "doesn't like sports" and won't sign up for soccer but loves little soccer games with a neighbor. We recently tried tennis classes and she liked that so we will keep that up. This summer she has really liked going to the pool so that has kept her active. I think for us just trying to find things she likes is important.

[Anonymous]

As kids we were out of the house every morning by 9 o’clock, and we did not come back until noon for lunch.

Then we do quiet time and nap.

Then we were outdoors when they woke up for their nap until dinner time.

Then, after dinner time we went outdoors again.

They were in a sport for fall and spring.

It’s the summer they’re in camps.

I remember once being really tired and saying “ just video games like normal kids” because I needed a break.

Also, super hot days and rainy days we did art.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm having a lot of trouble with this during such a hot humid summer. It feels too hot for playgrounds, bike riding, or hiking. We have a pool membership but don't make it every day, and when we go too often my youngest starts refusing. The boulder and ninja gyms have AC but they are SO expensive.

We do dance classes in the summer at a local ballet studio for this reason. One of my kids takes classes there during the school year, but in the summer we sign both kids up for the summer session, whatever sounds good to them (they have ballet, jazz, tap, acro, etc.). It's indoors, air conditioned, and really not very pricy. Around $100 per kid per class, for an 8 week session.

Mix in visits to indoor pools instead of only pushing outdoor pool club. When it's really hot, sometimes indoor pools are such a relief. Especially because it's a shorter visit -- you aren't hanging with friends, having a picnic lunch, etc. So you can just go for an hour in the morning. I feel for your youngest -- long days at the pool club really take it out of you. I can't do it on consecutive days or I'll get migraines from all the time in the sun and heat. But I can do an hour at an indoor pool anytime. Also sign your kids up for swim lessons.

We ride bikes to the playground after dinner when it's a smidge cooler.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm having a lot of trouble with this during such a hot humid summer. It feels too hot for playgrounds, bike riding, or hiking. We have a pool membership but don't make it every day, and when we go too often my youngest starts refusing. The boulder and ninja gyms have AC but they are SO expensive.

We do dance classes in the summer at a local ballet studio for this reason. One of my kids takes classes there during the school year, but in the summer we sign both kids up for the summer session, whatever sounds good to them (they have ballet, jazz, tap, acro, etc.). It's indoors, air conditioned, and really not very pricy. Around $100 per kid per class, for an 8 week session.

Mix in visits to indoor pools instead of only pushing outdoor pool club. When it's really hot, sometimes indoor pools are such a relief. Especially because it's a shorter visit -- you aren't hanging with friends, having a picnic lunch, etc. So you can just go for an hour in the morning. I feel for your youngest -- long days at the pool club really take it out of you. I can't do it on consecutive days or I'll get migraines from all the time in the sun and heat. But I can do an hour at an indoor pool anytime. Also sign your kids up for swim lessons.

We ride bikes to the playground after dinner when it's a smidge cooler.

$100/kid/class isn't pricey??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is why youth sports groups exsist.

They exist as a business to make money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is why youth sports groups exsist.

They exist as a business to make money.

+1 plus kids can be active/exercise without youth sports

[Anonymous]

Sports teams. Require one each season. There are so many options, this shouldnt be difficult.

We also walk, hike, swim and ride bikes often as a family. 10 year old will occasionally run a mile or two with me.