Physical activity is important to both young and old, so getting your children active is a great opportunity to become more active yourself. There are plenty of activities that both you and your kids will both enjoy, but here are five examples to get you started on the new path to a healthy lifestyle.

1. Get More Active With Your Kids
http://www.healthyfamilymatters.com/get- more- active- with- your- kids/ April 3, 2013
Healthy Family Articles
With all of the technology out there today, getting the kids outside and out from in front of the
various light up screens can prove challenging. There is always a new video game to play, a web
site to check out, and a television show to watch.
Physical activity is important to both young and old, so getting your children active is a great
opportunity to become more active yourself. There are plenty of activities that both you and your
kids will both enjoy, but here are five examples to get you started on the new path to a healthy
lifestyle.
Zoo Trips
Most kids love getting to see animals. Going to the zoo is a great way to teach them about
different kinds of animals, show them how to treat other living creatures, and also get active. Most
zoos are very large, so walking from one place to another can be more physical activity than you
realize. A lot of zoos also offer services where kids get to know the animals. It’s not always about
running a marathon or breaking a sweat; any physical activity is beneficial to the whole family.
Day at t he Park
A day at the park can be exciting. You can participate in exercise, play games, or just have a quiet
picnic together. There is also walking, bird watching and so much more. Parks are a great resource
when it comes to getting children out of the house. Parks with playgrounds are especially
beneficial for getting children in the swing of exercise.
Bike Rides
Riding bikes together is a great bonding
experience for any family unit. For those
with younger children, this is a great time
to teach your kids a new skill. If you also
have older kids, it’s a wonderful chance
for them to get to teach someone a
new skill, and also create a memory
between your kids they can enjoy the
rest of their lives. Bike trips can be as
small as riding around the block, or as
extravagant as riding down a boardwalk.
Any active outing such as this is a great
way to get kids out and about, and also
teach them how to build muscle, which
is important to learn at any age.
Hist oric Walking Tour
Many major cities, along with smaller towns, have the option of taking historic tours. By choosing
to take the walking tour, you’re teaching your children about the past while getting them up and
active. At Valley Forge, there are even kid-centered activities such as figuring out mysteries. During

2. these activities, kids are encouraged to run around and search for clues. They will get physical
activity while working out their brains as well.
Nat ure Trails
Nature trails are another great way to get kids moving and thinking at the same time. Nature trails
give endless paths and trails to walk, run or bike down. While on the trail, you can challenge your
kids to “I spy” or collecting a certain object. This will get them searching and scouring their
surroundings, learning how to keep track of their surroundings. If you’re more nature-inclined, it
may also serve as a way to teach your kids new facts about nature.
By Lauren Wainwright, a professional writer with a love of history and culture. Follow her at
@laurwain on Twitter!