This post was sponsored by Boys & Girls Clubs of America as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.
Challenging my children to put down their technology and go outside and play can be quite difficult these days. The lure of the screen is overwhelming and I perfectly understand. I like searching the internet, watching videos on Netflix and catching up with the daily news online. But there has to be a balance. So, to strike a match under my kids bottoms and to get them off the couch, I plan a lot of physical activities for our family. Since I feel better when exercise, I want my kids to feel the same.
5 Ways To Get Your Kids Off The Couch & Moving More
Here are my top 5 physical activities that we do together as a family.
Go on a nature hike.
What is a nature walk and why is it so beneficial? In a nutshell, it’s going outside with your family, and observing and enjoying nature together. The type of nature walks you can take are endless. You can stroll through your neighborhood and look for different types of bugs with a maginifying glass. You can download a nature scavenger hunt and go to your local park to find all the items. In the fall, you can look for different types of leaves. In the spring, you can look for different types of flowers.
Plan a pool party.
Anytime I invite my kids friends over to go swimming, they don’t want to be left out. They would rather put down their gadets and jump in the pool and play. So, to spice things up a bit, I like to plan themed pool parties such as Surfing USA, International Bring A Pool Noodle Day and other crazy things I come up with. However, the main idea is to get my kids motived to go outdoors and enjoy some fresh air.
Visit a trampoline park.
Kids everywhere enjoy bouncing on trampolines. When your kids bounce on their beds or on your sofa or anywhere else they can find, they are actually burning calories and giving their heart a workout at the same time. So, why not take them to a local trampoline park for a playdate where they can burn some extra calories with friends? Just make sure to bring a lot of water. They will be thristy afterwards, guranteed.
Go rock climbing.
Did you know that rock climbing can burn anywhere from 500 to 900 calories per hour? On a cold and windy day, I like to take my kids to an indoor rock climbing facility. Rock climbing is the perfect physical activity for them. Not only is it fun, but it’s also challenging and boosts their confidence as they strategize their way to the top.
Play in the snow.
One of our favorite physical activities in the winter is to play in the snow. Playing in the snow can burn anywhere from 200 to 400 calories in 30 minutes, depending on what you’re doing. Try building a fort, building a snowman, having a snowball fight or going snowsledding.
Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Triple Play Ini
Besides the 5 ways I’ve list above to improve my family’s health, I also look to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s health and wellness program called Triple Play for inspiration. Triple Play encourages children, even at a young age, to learn how small, positive behavioral changes can have a long-term, lasting impact on their health.
Triple Play serves young people at Boys & Girls Clubs of America, by giving them the tools and awareness necessary to put them on the path to a great future. National support from the Anthem Blue Cross Foundation and Coca-Cola make it possible for Boys & Girls Clubs around the country to operate Triple Play.
How To Promote Optimal Health in Families
To help parents move along towards optimal health, BGCA created the Triple Play Parents Game Plan. The plan offers a holistic approach with three key areas of focus:
- Mind: Develops a knowledge base for young people to acquire healthy habits, such as making smart food choices, understanding appropriate portion sizes and creating fun and balanced meals.
- Body: Promotes young people becoming more physically active through fun daily fitness, including activities to get kids active and moving.
- Soul: Strengthens interpersonal skills, positive behavior and good character through social recreation programs and activities.
With Triple Play, exercise is just one part of the equation. I’ve learned from the program myself that I need to ensure my children lead fulfilling, healthy lives. So, in order to accomplish this task, we have regular family meals together, talk frequently about life’s issues and attend church together on Sundays.
To learn more the BGCA Triple Play program in your area, please visit www.bgca.org.
How do you help your family stay strong and healthy? Please share with us in the comment section below.
I hope you have a healthy and happy New Year!
Jilleen