An active kid is often a happy kid. Though it may be tough to keep your kids as active as they would be if they could get to soccer practice or dance class, it’s still important to encourage movement even at home. It’s just as important for you to understand why outdoor time is important to kids, as it is for them to know. Before you head out on daily walks, explain to them that outdoor time will help them grow into happy and healthy individuals. For other ways to encourage your kids to be more active, take a look below!
Get Moving With Them
Probably one of the best and easiest ways to encourage your kids to be more active is by moving with them. If your children see you moving, dancing, walking, and stretching, they’ll be more inclined to do the same. Better yet, make them your workout partner—go on walks together, take that online dance class together, or get out and kick the ball around together. It’s a wonderful way to build your relationship as well!
Make Exercise Part of the Routine
One of the biggest things people struggle with when comes to getting active is sticking with it. Kids are the same way. The sooner you can make exercise a part of the daily routine, the more they’ll enjoy and stick to staying active. Especially now, sticking to some sort of schedule is essential to make life seem a bit more normal.
Find Creative Movement Ideas
All that said, there’s more to exercise than walking or running around the neighborhood. You need to help your kids find the ways they enjoy moving. Maybe your son hates walking around the block but loves learning how to salsa dance. Maybe your daughter is getting bored of online ballet classes and would prefer to learn kickboxing. To help them find their passions, make a list of different activities they could do at home, then let them choose what interests them.
Don’t Push Too Hard
You don’t want to push your kids too hard. You don’t want to force them to walk, dance, or swim if they don’t like it—that’s no way to encourage. Rather, you want to act as a catalyst for their passions and let them grow and develop their admiration for different activities. Similarly, once they’ve found their passions, don’t push them too hard. Sure, children need a boost sometimes, but if you’re constantly on them about practicing or moving for longer periods of time than they’re comfortable with, then you won’t be encouraging; you’ll be stunting.
Talk About How Good It Feels
The idea of talking about emotions is so important for encouraging and developing children. It will boost their emotional intelligence and help them stick close to the things that make them feel better and steer clear of the things that harm them. After a workout or some movement time, ask them how they’re feeling. Do they feel happier, more energized? Did the recognize that they’re no longer as grumpy? Helping them recognize the advantages will solidify movement in their daily life.
These tips are great, showing how much you enjoy it always encourages kids.
Thanks for the Tips. It is definitely useful for all parents.
I don’t have kids yet but I really do want them to be active when I do. My fiance and I are working to make sure we are active in our daily lives so that it comes naturally to our children when we have them.
This is the only thing I dont have to encourage my kids. They are beond active by themselves.
Since the lockdown my daughter stays in her room most of the time. I hope things can go back to normal again.
Making exercise part of their routine is an amazing way to work on their mental and physical ability which I like. Parenting can be overwhelming at times and you’ve got great tips here.
Great suggestions! Keeping your children active is so important…especially in our new normal!
The tips are really great.. Physical activity is good for children’s bodies. It promotes growth and development and should be encouraged throughout the day for younger children (ages 3 to 5). At least 60 minutes of activity a day helps older children and adolescents grow strong bones and muscles, build endurance and maintain a healthy weight.
Physical activity with their guardians is a key indeed. Good insights here anyway it will greatly do help kids to be more active everyday.
Couldn’t agree more on this. Involving kids in your daily activities is really a good way to help them interact more.
I am a preschool teacher and movement is always key every day! They dance, do yoga, do games, and etc!
Active kids are healthy kids and anything that we can do as parents to encourage activity will benefit them greatly.
These are great ideas! I would personally encourage my future kids to do and maintain exercise routines and if possible, I’d like them to do outdoor activities too like camping. I agree that we shouldn’t push them too hard. Just let them enjoy and be kids.
thanks for sharing this, however my little niece is superb active, do you have tips how to tune down over active kids 😀 cheers, siennylovesdrawing
Really great tips on how to make sure kids are active, it is not very common today, unfortunately
Thank you for sharing these tips. It’ll be helpful to new parents out there
You pointed out some great advices and ways for us to stay on track. I love it! Thanks for sharing your insight
Thank you for wonderful suggestions. Yes, me and my little baby sister often excercise together and do creative projects. It’s so much fun.
These are great tips for new parents!
This quarantine it is always a great idea to encourage kids to be active and learn new things. Such a helpful article for parents for their kids.
My uncle is trying to find ways to get his kids involved physically and get them onto some sports teams. He would really like to make sure that they can stay healthy and visit a professional whenever they get sick or hurt. I liked what you said about how he should try to be a catalyst for their passions and not be too pushy and force them to do activities.