Ten Fun Ways to Help Your Kids Get More Active This Spring

Do you know what the number one cause of childhood obesity is? American kids are spending way too much time snacking and playing or watching electronics. If your child comes home from school and plops himself down in front of the TV, you’re setting him up for a lifetime of weight problems. Try at least half the things on this list of activities that may get your kid up and going.

Register your kid for an organized sport. Teach your child how to hit a tennis ball. Put up a volleyball net in your yard. Sign up for a race with your child and start running together. Just find something that makes your child move.

Organize a neighborhood scavenger hunt. Work with neighbor parents to determine what should be on the list, and send the kids from house to house searching for everything on the list.

Borrow a neighbor’s dog. If you don't have a dog, have your neighbor ask your child to please walk their dog for them, as a favor.

Organize a neighborhood hide and seek game. Older children may want to play flashlight tag with friends in the dark.

Invest in inexpensive but fun family outdoor games, like horse shoes or frisbee. Put up the game in the yard and have your relatives over for an outdoor game day.

Pass out jump ropes and hold a competition. Buy a couple different types of jump ropes so you can have chinese jump ropes, long jump ropes, and individual jump ropes. Give out inexpensive prizes, like bubbles or silly string.

Look for summer camps that feature active themes. Many community programs are dirt cheap and lots of fun.

Hand over the mowing responsibility. If your child is ten or older, he or she should be able to do it.

Challenge the kids to a Twister competition. Offer ribbons to the most flexible and strong kid who wins the most rounds.

Take your kid for a walk. Or try going for a long bike ride around the neighborhood. Or bring your child to the neighborhood basketball hoop and play HORSE. If you join your kids, they'll enjoy exercise more. Set a good example and watch the kids get into it too!