How to Keep Your Kids Active Outdoors

Cooped up all winter? Use these tips to get your kids active outdoors! It’s important for them to have an active lifestyle so that they move their bodies and limit screen time! Active play is a great way to encourage physical activities in young children and kids of all ages.

Have your kids been spending too much time in front of their devices this winter? The good news is that warm weather is here, making this time the best time to consider adding things to your home to encourage outdoor play. As you open up your house, consider encouraging kids to get active with these tips.

Setting a daily routine of regular physical activity is one of the best ways to promote a healthy lifestyle. If the kids have options for different activities, they’re going to be active children and active kids.

Encouraging Kids to Get Active

Your goal is to have your child have 60 minutes of physical activity daily. It doesn’t have to be vigorous physical activity but think more along the lines of a bike ride, jump ropes, basketball games, or even a family hike.

Older children can also benefit from physical fitness as it helps with mental health and can help to promote a healthy weight. If you’re worried that your child sits in front of a screen all day, you can cut down on electronic time and work on physical skills instead.

Involve all the family members so that you’re being a good example and doing some form of physical activity with the kids. There are all types of physical activity options that are great for all activity levels. Here are some of my best tips.

Give them a place to play

The biggest thing you can do to keep your kids active is give them an enticing place to play. If you are looking for something inexpensive, purchase a few hula hoops, some sidewalk chalk and bubbles, and send them outdoors.

For something a little bit more active, but also a little bit more expensive, consider trampolines. With the right safety nets in place, a trampoline provides hours of fun and exercise in the summer.

If you’re in the market for a splurge, a playground is the ideal option. Investing in an outdoor play set now gives you a place for your kids to play for years. Your yard will be the one the neighborhood kids want to come to in the summer, so you’ll not only see your kids being active, but you’ll also be able to keep tabs on who their friends are. If you head to the park, here are some ways to lengthen your outings to the park.

Lace up your shoes for a run

Running is another way kids can be active. While you don’t want your child training for a marathon, because her joints aren’t ready for that, you can buy her a quality pair of running shoes and allow her to learn a little about this sport. If you teach her how to run safely, she will have a hobby and exercise program that will follow her through life.

Setting up relay races with the neighborhood kids is a great, affordable way to encourage beginning running. If you find that your child loves it, spend a little bit to sign her up for a race. Most big races for adults also have kiddie races, and she just might be inspired by the opportunity to win a medal or prize. For a splurge, consider enrolling her in track and field as her muscles get stronger.

Jump on a bike

Biking is something else that kids love to do, and it’s great exercise. If you are ready to splurge in this category, buy your kids their first bike with all the bells and whistles. If that’s out of the budget, a scooter provides similar benefits with less expense. For a very inexpensive option, consider a smaller ride-on toy, but avoid anything with a motor. The goal is to encourage activity, not passive play.

Jump in the pool

If your kids don’t know how to swim, then signing them up for swimming lessons is a great start. Not only will they get some excellent exercise, but they will also learn a life skill that just might save a life some day. For a slightly more expensive option, join the neighborhood or gym pool so you can swim more frequently. This is a great area for a splurge. Invest in a pool of your own. Whether in-ground or above ground, you’ll find that it encourages them to be active daily during the summer months.

Warm weather is coming. Make sure your kids are shaking off the winter doldrums by spending a lot of time outdoors. By giving them the right incentive, you can encourage healthy habits that will last a lifetime.

Holly is an Indianapolis native who loves running and baking. When she isn’t trying out her latest Pinterest recipe, you can find her blogging on behalf of Sears and other brands she loves. She hopes you enjoy keeping your kids active outdoors this spring and summer!