Thread: How To Make Kids to exercise more?

Turn off the T.V.. Discourage sedentary entertainments (except for reading, of course.) :wink: Make sure he has access to physical play, instead. Depending on your area and your neighborhood, you can provide him with all kinds of alternate entertainment: A basketball and hoop; a bicycle; a trampoline; roller blades; a climbing rope tied to a tree branch.
During the dark days of winter, and bad weather, indoor activities at home can be done with dvd/video. My grandson has a kids yoga video and a "tai chi for young people" that he uses daily. The catch? An adult has to do these things with him to keep him engaged. He doesn't maintain interest or focus on his own. That's true, of course, for many activities with younger children. Do them with them, and they are enthusiastic. On their own, and they lose interest. Let him see that you value physical activity over sedentary activity yourself, and he'll value those things as well.
Don't forget organized sports opportunities. Soccer, basketball, swimming (if you have an indoor pool locally.)
Finally, remember the part that diet plays. No fast food, and avoid over-processed foods. Fresh foods, with plenty of fresh growing things and whole grains, avoiding foods with any added sugars or sweeteners, and foods made out of processed flours. Drink plenty of fresh water, and leave sodas, juice "drinks," and juices themselves behind. Fresh whole fruit to eat, instead of fruit juice to drink.

Do you have a YMCA in the area? Or optimist basketball teams or karate dojo's. These may cost a little but well worth the expense when you see your child having fun and getting exercise at the same time. Look into some of them.

He still has time for fun, right? Combine his leisure pursuits with exercise activities to multi-task and stay healthy. If basic events can be turned into a chance to move, he'll be in a better spot than he is now.

Observe the other children your children hang out with. Note who the extremely active ones are. Arrange for your child to spend more time with the active kids. These habits rub off onto others. Extracurricular activities are great for getting kids moving, no matter what their age.

As a mom, you can exercise with the little guy. Babies and children love playing with their parents and other children. Get involved in activities where you move along with him. Dancing, workout videos, kicking a ball around and other physical activities are mere play for kids.

You can go hiking during the fall or even spring months. Tell your kid you are on a adventure, kids usually like that. You could pick up geocaching, this activity might motivate your child a little more. Cut the time on all electronics and just tell your kid to go outside.

You can do indoor activities that involve some body movements. My nephew has one of those basketball nets in their basement and he and his dad enjoy dribbling and shooting balls. Most kids love singing, so why not do action songs together?

You can always trick the kid into exercising. If you have a Wii console or a Kinect, the games are all based on movement. I have played on both systems and I broke a sweat.

There are activities in which you can incorporate exercise without the kids being aware of it. Most kids like games that involve a lot of moving around. And yes, I agree with Joan. Wii and Kinect games are a fun way to get your body into moving and shaking!