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4<br />
TRY THESE<br />
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY TIPS<br />
FOR BUSY KIDS AND FAMILIES<br />
ARE YOUR KIDS GETTING THE<br />
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY THEY NEED<br />
TO STAY HEALTHY?<br />
Children ages 6 to 17 need at least<br />
60 minutes of activity daily, says the<br />
U.S. Department of Health and Human<br />
Services. But only about one-quarter<br />
of American children meet these<br />
guidelines.<br />
Parents play a key role in helping kids<br />
stay active. Kids are more likely to be<br />
active if they have the support of their<br />
families. Try these strategies to keep<br />
your kids moving this winter.<br />
GET ACTIVE AS A FAMILY<br />
Make moving more a goal for your entire<br />
family. Your views toward physical<br />
activity can influence what your kids<br />
think of exercise. So set a good example<br />
by joining in yourself. Here are some<br />
fun ideas you can all do together:<br />
• Schedule an active family fun day<br />
over the weekend. For example,<br />
walk around your neighborhood to<br />
check out the holiday decorations.<br />
• Find an exercise video online made<br />
for kids and do it with your children.<br />
• When one of your children has a<br />
sports game, bike to the game as a<br />
family and cheer for your athlete.<br />
• Go for a family walk together after<br />
dinner instead of watching TV.<br />
• Start a family competition. See<br />
who can be the first person in your<br />
family to meet a certain physical<br />
activity goal, such as exercising five<br />
days in a week.<br />
• Sign up for a charity walk or run as<br />
a family. Train together for the event.<br />
• Go ice skating at an indoor rink<br />
together.<br />
• Head to your local ski slope and<br />
enjoy a day of downhill skiing or<br />
snowboarding.<br />
STAY ACTIVE ALL WINTER LONG<br />
Cold temperatures, icy sidewalks, and<br />
snow-covered playgrounds can make it<br />
more challenging for kids to be active.<br />
But it’s not impossible. Think creatively<br />
to find activities your children will enjoy.<br />
Talk with your kids to see whether they’d<br />
be interested in any of these options:<br />
• Join a sports team. If one of your<br />
children doesn’t like team sports,<br />
suggest individual sports that your<br />
child can do indoors, such as<br />
swimming at an indoor pool.<br />
• Enroll in a series of classes to learn<br />
a new skill. Gymnastics, swimming,<br />
figure skating, or martial arts lessons<br />
are some indoor options. Older kids<br />
may want to take skiing or<br />
snowboarding lessons.<br />
• Take advantage of the snow. Go<br />
sledding or snowshoeing or build<br />
a snowman.
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