Ten Spring Activities To Get Your Kids Active

Mind is All

Are you aware of how serious of a problem childhood obesity is here in America? American kids are spending way too much time snacking and playing or watching electronics. Get your child away from the TV and outside, doing something that challenges his body and mind. The following list of ten activities will give you a point of reference as you come up with ways to get your child active.

Register your kid for an organized sport. Teach your child how to hit a tennis ball. Find a community volleyball team. Sign up for a race with your child and start running together. Anything that gets your child up and moving counts.

Organize a neighborhood scavenger hunt. Talk ahead of time with neighbors and come up with a list of things all over the area the kids have to find.

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

Set up a hide and seek game - outside. Younger teens may think it's fun to try flashlight tag after dusk.

Invest in inexpensive but fun family outdoor games, like horse shoes or frisbee. Set up the game and invite the cousins over.

Set up a jump rope competition. Buy a couple different types of jump ropes so you can have chinese jump ropes, long jump ropes, and individual jump ropes. Offer rewards for the best jumpers, things like bubbles or bouncy balls.

Sign your child up for active summer camps. Check out your community website or paper for inexpensive, fun programs.

Tell your child it's his or her turn to be responsible for mowing the lawn. If your child is ten or older, he or she should be able to do it.

Challenge the kids to a Twister competition. Time the kids to see who can last the longest.

Go for a walk with your child. Or try going for a long bike ride around the neighborhood. Or put up a basket ball hoop and start teaching him or her how to shoot. If you join your kids, they'll enjoy exercise more. Set a good example and watch the kids get into it too!