We all know that keeping fit is key to having a healthy body and a healthy mind. This is just as true for children as it is for adults, so if you’re a parent, you want to do your best to instill this idea in your kids from an early age.

Of course, depending on how old they are, taking your children to the gym might not be the most appropriate way for them to stay fit. A fantastic alternative now that the weather is getting warmer and summer is on the way (for those of us in the northern hemisphere at least), is to get out and about with your children and include exercise as a form of play. Here are some top suggestions.

Head to the playground

Sometimes the simplest options are the best ones. For example, if you have a well-maintained and safe outdoor playground in your local area, grab the kids and head down there when the sun comes out. These normally have the benefit of being free to use, although sometimes there are play areas within larger parks or other facilities that charge an entry fee. The bonus of visiting those is that they tend to be of a correspondingly higher quality, so your kids might get more excited about playing there.

Encourage active outdoor hobbies

These days there are so many fun activities and hobbies that your kids can do outdoors, often without the need for too much equipment. Depending on your child’s personality and interests, you could encourage them to join a sports club or try out for a local team. Other hobbies such as rollerblading, bike riding, and skateboarding can all be done solo or on a more casual basis with friends. Just be sure to insist that they wear a helmet and skate pads to keep them safe if they fall.

Take a long walk

A great way to keep the whole family active is to head out on a long walk through an area of beautiful natural countryside. Wherever you live, there’s sure to be somewhere suitable you can drive or take the train to visit. It doesn’t have to be a famous national park; even a local patch of woodland can provide ample opportunities for exploration. You can always play games as you goto keep the kids engaged or bring your bikes if you want to cover a longer route.

Hit the beach

If you’re lucky enough to live near to the beach, this is a fantastic way to get the kids out and running around. From building sandcastles to playing beach volleyball or splashing around in the sea, there’s no end to the activities you can enjoy as a family. Older children might like to try their hand at surfing, bodyboarding, stand-up paddleboarding, or other ocean sports too. Just make sure they wear plenty of sunscreen, cover-up during the hottest times of day, and obey all the instructions and warnings from lifeguards when going into the water.

Thanks for reading and y’all stay dandy.

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