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7 Fun Family Exercise Ideas
By Martha Sanders
One of the best thing parents can do for their kids is to get them into the habit of exercising. Today many children aren't getting enough physical activity; but if they regularly see you exercise and eating well, they're very likely to do the same.
If you want your kids to stay blooming fit and healthy for life, you need to show them how to enjoy exercise. Family exercise is fun and at the same time, helps you bond with your children. Try out our family exercise ideas, and get the whole family into shape in no time!
1. Circuit Fun. Gather a variety of items – jump ropes, hula loops, tennis balls etc – and use them to set up 4 to 6 stations throughout your backyard or family room. At each station, do a specific move for 30 seconds before moving on to the next station.
For example, at the first station, skip with a rope. Next station, dance. Play hopscotch, frog hop, star jump, or juggle at station number 3, 4, 5 and 6. Repeat the circuit until you get in a good 20 minutes of activity. Fun music in the background helps your children stay motivated.
2. Pony Rides. Parents get down on all fours and have one of your kids ride on you. Then race across the backyard as fast as you can. If your little rider takes a tumble, you must return to the starting line and begin again. The first person to cross the finish line is the winner.
3. Hoola Hoops. Place 2 hoola hoops at one end of the yard and stand at the opposite end. Race across the yard, step into the hoop and start twirling for 30 seconds. Then race back to the starting point. Repeat 2 to 3 times.
4. Walks. Involve the whole family in fun brisk walks in parks, around the neighborhood, to the grocery store, etc. Pedometers for kids make exercise more fun since kids enjoy keeping track of how far they walk.
5. Bike Riding. Another fun family exercise idea that's great for the cardiovascular system is biking. It's good if you've bike trails in your neighborhood, so your family can cycle without worrying about passing cars. Make sure that everyone wears a bicycle helmet.
6. Swimming. Swimming is one of the best exercises that uses each and every part of the body. However, remember to teach kids about water safety, and ensure that they're always properly supervised.
7. Wrestling. Besides swimming to keep your children active, wresting is another fun activity. It exercises all your child’s muscles as well as increases strength and flexibility. Use a bed or the floor with a rubber mat, and start wrestling!
You and your kids can do all or any of these fun family exercise ideas together. Or, just any activity that keeps your children moving and laughing. What matters most is that your family is having a terrific time! Remember, kids get bored easily, so fun have to be their prime motivator.
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