Physical Activity Can Help!

There are so many benefits to physical activity, better sleep, more regulated moods, boosts energy and can help break up the day!  Unfortunately since our children are not running around with their friends at school on the playground or at recess or PE they may not be getting the same amount of activity that they used to get when in school.  It is important to make sure that kids of all ages and adults are getting enough physical activity on a daily basis.  

Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations: Recommended Levels for School-Aged Children and Adolescents (ages 6 through 17 years)

• Children and adolescents ages 6 through 17 years should do 60 minutes (1 hour) or more of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity each day, including daily aerobic – and activities that strengthen bones (like running or jumping) – 3 days each week, and that build muscles (like climbing or doing push-ups) – 3 days each week.

Here are few ways to get creative with your exercise: 

• Take a family nature walk or hike
• Do daily challenges, for example: how many push ups can you do in a minute, try to beat your score the next day
• YouTube has great kids yoga videos and other exercise videos
• Create an obstacle course and race through it
• Make a scavenger hunt that gets everyone out and moving
• Do a neighborhood sign hanging or chalk drawing hunt 
• Exercise together, ask your kids to create exercises for both of you to do together
• Teach your kids about body weight exercises that can be done easily and are lifelong exercise activities that can be done anywhere.  
• Do animal walks, bear crawls, etc. to make it fun and challenging.  
• Play Tag: play tag in yard, or at a large field with your family.  Or find other childhood games like Red Light, Green Light, etc. that you can play together  
• Relays and races, grab the whole family for some friendly competition
• Practice with your child whatever sport they are missing and perhaps work on some drills together
• Age appropriate chores and yard work can be helpful and gets your child moving
• GoNoodle: GoNoodle.com is good for different types of indoor physical activities and can be watched on your computer.  You need some space to do it and online accessibility but it is fun and free.  

Get out there and enjoy some healthy movement with your kids!  Idea: break up the 60 minutes into 15 minute movement breaks throughout their day at home to add up to the minimum recommended.