Physical activity builds a great foundation for a healthy life. It’s a win/win event for you and your child. Physical activity can:
- Increase self-esteem and capacity for learning.
- Help kids handle stress.
- Build and maintain healthy bones, muscles and joints.
- Help control weight.
Experience active family fun. Time together is time that’s treasured. Try these activities:
Family Adventures - See the sights of your community. Try hiking, fishing, canoeing, and berry-picking. Discover the public parks. Visit the zoo. Explore outdoor tourist attractions.
Family Fitness Vacations - Plan an active get-away. Swim at the beach or bike on a scenic trail. Hike or camp in the mountains. Explore state and national parks. Raft down a river. Take a walking tour of a city.
The Gift of Physical Activity - Give a present that encourages activity. Outfit that special someone with a swimsuit or pair of athletic shoes. Select toys that make kids move, such as a basketball or bicycle.
Seasonal Celebrations - Welcome each one with fun.
Winter: Go sledding or build a snowman.
Spring: Play whiffle ball or fly a kite.
Summer: Run through the sprinkler or jump rope.
Fall: Play Frisbee, golf or hike through a pumpkin patch.
Community Service - Benefit others while benefiting yourself—volunteer as a family. Do litter patrol on a nearby road, help neighbors rake their yard or team up to clean up a favorite park.
Find the right fit.
Organized activities, such as lessons, clubs and teams, can be a positive experience if they match your child’s interests and personality. Before signing up, check out the program and answer the following questions. A majority of “yes” answers suggests enjoyment for your child.
- Does my child’s skill level and size match the rest of the group?
- Are the challenges and expectations appropriate for my child?
- Are all children given meaningful opportunities to learn skills and participate fully?
- Is there a focus on development of fair play, teamwork, sportsmanship, and having fun?
- Does the activity leader provide encouragement and positive feedback?\
- Are all children treated with respect?
- It’s not just an action, it’s a lifestyle.
Walk and Talk: Instead of sitting at the table to do homework, take a walk with your child while practicing spelling words, multiplication tables or geography facts.
Household Jobs: Encourage responsibility and home maintenance skills by having your children help vacuum, scrub floors, mow the lawn, walk the dog,wash the car and more.
Indoor Fun: Designate a space where kids can roll, climb, jump, dance and tumble. Garages—without cars—can become an activity zone on rainy or snowy days.
Traveling Locker Room: Stash a box in the family car that holds balls, baseball gloves, a jump rope, Frisbee, kite, etc. You’ll always be ready for fun.
(U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)
Choosing a Health Club 
