Family hike in autumn by Sylvia Sky

2 Ways to Get Kids to Exercise

#1. Get them excited about the activity

Growing up, my parents offered me the choice to play soccer or softball. I tried both and although I wasn’t horrible at either sport, I didn’t love game nights. I stressed about letting the team down.

It wasn’t until adulthood that I realized it wasn’t sports that I didn’t like but playing on a team.

I’m more of a one-on-one type of girl. I prefer tennis over ball hockey, squash over volleyball. And given the choice I rather challenge myself than an opponent. I love to hike in the woods, bicycle on the rail trails and swim in my pool.

Kids need to know there are many ways to get their exercise – they need to find out whether they prefer being a team player, facing an opponent head-to-head or going solo.

As a parent, we can help our kids by offering them a variety of sports to try for a season and open up discussion about how they feel about each activity.

#2. Be a Role Model

My parents offered a weekly night at the local YMCA where we swam together as a family. They took us to forests for long walks after church on Sundays. My mom played tennis and my dad biked to and from work. They modelled a healthy life and it became part of my sinew to exercise. I didn’t flinch at the 30-minute walk to school. My three older brothers also maintained healthy lifestyles. I believe that my parents’ behaviours set the example for us.

Kids are influenced more by what we as parents do than what we say.

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If we want our children to be active and exercise regularly we need to lead by example. (tweet this)

What are you doing with your kids to encourage them to exercise?