How to Get Your Kids Active and Off the Couch

Keeping your kids active is crucial for their mental and physical health. It gives them the opportunity to get in shape and interact with others.

But even though it may seem easy to get them out of the house, it may not be as simple as you think. Looking for some unique ways to get them active? Here are some tips.

Get Them Involved With Different Acitivites
While they might want to kick back on the couch after school or on the weekends, sign them up for an activity. If they like soccer or hockey, sign them up for a recreational league. If they’re highly interested in theater, there are plenty of theater camps out there that will get your child moving. Keeping them busy will not only ensure they're healthy, but it will also make it a lot easier to get them to fall asleep at night.

Encourage Their Skills and Build a Backyard Rink
If your child is passionate about ice skating or hockey, surprise them and build a backyard rink. Not only will your child get to practice their skills, but all of their friends will likely want to enjoy your homemade ice rink. Taking the time to build something with your child can help sharpen their technical skills, as well. The home ice rink, ice rink liner, and ice rink brackets will keep them active and to ensure that they'll be ready for the hockey team or ice skating group tryouts come the winter sporting season.

Do Things With Your Child
Instead of just sending your child to camp or an after-school activity, do things that can keep both of you active. For example, have your child meet you at your local park a few days a week after you get out of work for a game of basketball. Sign up for a 5k and include your entire family at the event. Fathers, in particular, have tripled their time spent on child care, and despite 71% of mothers now working away from home, they have still managed to spend 57% more time with their children. When they see that you’re wanting to get out and get active, they will start to realize that it’s an important thing to do.

While it may be tempting to let your child play video games and lounge all day, getting them active is extremely important. Sit them down and discuss ways they can get up and off of the couch.