5 Fun Exercises for the Whole Family

CEBU, Philippines — Nowadays, little children – including toddlers and pre-schoolers– spend most of their time in front of the television or absorbed with gadgets, thus preventing them from doing and enjoying physical activities that would be good for their health, their heart, muscles and lungs. In an article at www.parents.com, parenting mentor Aviva Patz writes that working out does not have to mean running laps or lifting weights but leading an active lifestyle. Even after a hectic day at work, parents can still get fit with their kids, to avoid letting the little ones grow in a sedentary lifestyle.

Taking night walks.

Short walks together before or after dinner not only allow parents to get some quality time with their kids, but it is also good for everyone’s health. It does not have to be brisk, casual walk will do. Also, walkingwith the kids to and from the nearby grocery store or just strolling around the neighborhood is a fun way to get both parents and their kids moving.

Dancing the house chores away.

Music is one of the ways to cheer up the vibe inside the home. Putting on some danceable tune whiledoing house chores is a fun and healthier way to go. Not only does it distract the mind from the effort, it is heightens the physical exercise. And, well, it will all seem like fun to the kids. It is will be such a good a good family time.

Doing gardening.

Kids naturally like digging up dirt; to them, it’s a different kind of play. Parents can make this  can use this natural tendency of kids to help out in growing plantsin the backyard. According to Parents.com, weight lifting and gardening bring the same benefits in fighting osteoporosis;that’s certainly good for parents. As for the kids, it gardening allows them to play, to exercise and to help raise vegetables and flowers for the home.

Caring for a pet.

Children just love pets, and parents may use this fondness with animals to teach the kids a sense of responsibility and, at the same time, prompt the little ones to do physical activity. The kids want to look after the needs of their pet. And playing with the pet is in itself a fun physical activity for the kids as well. And the activity doesn’t have to be exclusive between the pet and the kids – mom and dad may join in the fun too!

Another article at www.Parents.com cites that having pets actually decreases a child’s risk for developing allergies. It can also strengthen their immune system.

Holding a weekly family sports event.

A sports event does not have to be really a big deal requiring professional athletes. The family can have its own sports tourney of“Patentero,”“BatoLata,”“Dakpanay”and other nativegames. It’s a way for parents to relive physical activities they had in their own childhood and a chance for the kids to try the games their parents enjoyed. The whole family will have fun together.

Parents have the challenge to think up ingenuous ways to keep the kids from growing up in a sedentary lifestyle. Other than good physical conditioning, the family that devotes a time for sweating it out together will be closer to one another.