Make Children Play Outdoors
When I was a child, we didn’t have computers, video games or hand held devices to play with. We were always outside playing. Kick ball, hide and seek, tag, climbing trees, walking in the park, baseball, riding our bikes and any other game we thought of.
It seems the children of today do not know how to ‘play’ outside. They are too busy watching TV, playing video games or being on the computer. Never mind those who are dropped off at the mall to hang out doing nothing.
Lack of physical activity and eating fast foods is causing our children to be overweight. I brought my niece to the county fair last week and I was truly amazed at how many children I saw who were overweight. The ratio to the children I noticed who were of average weight was surprising. I don’t remember seeing my peers as a kid with excess pounds. Thinking back to your youth, do you remember any of your friends being overweight? It’s bothersome to me because I think parents are not getting involved with outside play with their children.
It’s never too late to help your kids get back in shape. Instead of sedentary games, being on the computer and watching tv or texting on the cell phone, introduce your kids to outside play. Maybe teach them the games you played as a kid. Have an old fashioned game of wiffle ball or kick ball. Sure they might roll their eyes, but you never know…they may end up enjoying it. The quality family time is a plus.
Some Ideas for Family Play Time:
Play tag or touch football
Have a family relay race
Fly a kite
Roller blade or roller skate
Ride bikes
Go swimming
Toss around a frisbee
Did you know according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in the last 30 years the percentage of overweight children has increased?
Ages 2 to 5 yrs - increased from 5.0% to 13.9%
Ages 6 to 11 yrs - increased from 6.5% to 18.8%
Ages 12 to 19 yrs - incrased from 5.0% to 17.4%
Start your family on the road to healthier living by being more active...include outdoor play.
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