How to make fitness fun for kids

While modern technology amenities are good, they make everyone — from infants to adults — move less. Fine motor skills do not develop in children. The basis for a strong heart, lungs and muscles has not been developed. In addition, it is also setting children up for a sedentary lifestyle, which can lead to obesity as adults. Starting a good habit of physical activity at a young age will last a lifetime.

The key to getting 60 minutes of aerobic exercise every day, as recommended by the CDC, is to make fitness fun for kids. Riding on the spot on a treadmill or sitting on a stationary bike is unlikely to spark joy for your child. What do the children want to do? Run, play, jump, hop and jump. In our jam-packed, over-scheduled world, it's easy to skip time for exercise. The key is to it in as a family. It will prepare your children for years of physical activity and will help you stay fit as well.

Get outside

Outside is free. If you have a backyard, let your children wander and explore. Go for a family walk or run, a bike ride, play tag, play catch or do anything to enjoy the fresh air.

Geocaching

Go on an adventure that is part hiking and part treasure hunting in search of hidden things you can track with GPS coordinates. Visit geocaching.com and enter your home address (or the address where you plan to walk or hike) to find any geocaches hidden in the area. Connect the coordinates in your GPS or on your smartphone, and head out the door to find your treasure. Kids love finding hidden gems. Just be sure you don't take it with you; leave it for the next person to find.

Playgrounds and parks

Playgrounds and parks are an endless opportunity for kids to run wild and use their imagination. You can not be more active than swinging, sliding and dressed ring. Don't just sit in the spectator spot and watch-get out there, and let your inner child have some fun! You can also bring a bat and ball or a kite from home to take advantage of the open space.

Backyard obstacle course

Channel your inner ninja warrior by setting up your own backyard obstacle course. Make it a friendship contest to see who can finish it fastest.

Shake Your Groove Thing

The kids love to dance. Slide the living room furniture out of the way and make a dance floor for everyone to shake their little hearts out.

Go and talk

Make it a habit to go on a walk at any distance before or after dinner. It's a great way to catch up with the events during the day and get more activity as a family.

Have an activity day

Take a day off this weekend and make it an activity day. Hike, bike on a new path, hit the bowling lanes, go to a climbing gym or to an obstacle course with high ropes.

Take a break

When watching TV, make every advertisement break an exercise break. Have the whole family do arm swings, squats, jumping jacks or high knees. It's a way to break up sitting on the couch with short bursts of exercise.

Musical Basketballs

Shooting hoops is good, but take it to the next level with Musical basketball balls. Like musical chairs but with basketball balls, this game requires a ball for each player, plus music. Put the balls in a circle and have the kids walk around the circle, just like in musical chairs. When the music stops, the kids will grab a basketball ball and shoot a basket. When a player makes a basket, they sit down to show that they are done. The last player standing is out.

The label! You are that!

Tag is a good game for all ages. It may seem simple, but it actually helps to build skills for other sports such as basketball and football. Start and stop from a dead stop are similar to conditioning exercises routinely used.

Ride or go to school

If you live relatively close to the children's school, take the hike as a family. You will save on gas and sneak in some exercise.

Practice your Down dog

When rolling out your yoga mat, be sure to bring one for your child as well. They will love to practice posing as downhill dog, cat pose, tree or Happy baby.