As parents we want the very best for our children. We want them to lead happy, healthy, and productive lives that they can be proud of. In a lot of ways parents are responsible for teaching their children how to live such fulfilling lives. Let’s face it! Without our guidance our children would be lost. Totally and completely lost! That’s why is important to set positive examples. One of the ways in which we as parents strive to improve our child’s lives is by hoping to improve their health. There are many ways that a parent can do this, they can promote healthy eating habits, they can educate their children on health risks to avoid, the list goes on and on. While education is key, children oftentimes learn by example.
If you’re trying to improve your child’s physical fitness chances are you need to start improving your own first! Children look up to their parents, especially at a young age so take a look in the mirror. Do you participate in any regular physical activity? What do you do to stay in shape? Are you active outdoors? Answer these questions critically and think of the ways that you could expand upon your physical activity. If you’re wanting to improve the overall health of your child it needs to be a family effort. Finding fun activities for the whole family to enjoy will make staying active a whole lot easier! Here’s a list of outdoor activities that are physically challenging but also fun for the whole family;
- Hiking– A great way to stay in shape and enjoy the wonders of nature. Hiking will bring you and your family closer together while you commune with nature and get in touch with the needs of your body.
- Flag Football– This family-friendly sport is a favorite among kids! It combines all the excitement of regular football without all the rough contact. You can find all the equipment you need at your local Walmart. It’s super easy to learn.
- Barefoot Water Skiing – A unique and extreme sport that’s guaranteed to get the blood pumping. Check out this Barefoot Gear Garage video to find out what it’s all about! It’s definitely for the more adventurous families who aren’t afraid to take life head on.
- Bike Riding– This low impact activity is a simple way to enjoy the great outdoors while working up a sweat. It’s ideal for families and young children. Biking is one of the easiest ways to stay in shape and a fantastic option for helping to improve your child’s physical fitness.
Now you know to lead by example and find activities that your family will really enjoy. If your child is engaged in the physical activity they are doing they won’t want to stop! It’s a super easy and effective way of building positive health habits. Another way to improve your child’s overall physical well-being is by cutting their screen time. The less time they are sitting in front of the television or playing games on their tablet the more time they’ll have for physical activity.
We all know that parenting can be tough and teaching your child good health habits can be even tougher. Just remember to have fun with it, set a good example, and cut down on their screen time and you’ll do just fine!