How Parents Can Help Kids Stay Active
As a parent, your routine plays a big role in the routines and habits of your children. If you sit all day at work and then come home and sit some more, your children likely won’t be inclined to be much more active than the example you set. It’s important to keep them moving, especially when they are young, because it not only lays the foundation for healthy habits into adulthood, but active kids often perform better in and out of school, simply because they are healthier. We have a few tips that can help you instill these healthy habits in your kids and help them stay active, even if they are sitting at their desks all day long.
Actively Increase Your NEAT
If you’ve ever tried to lose weight as an adult, you’re likely familiar with the term NEAT. This stands for non-exercise activity thermogenesis. This acronym is especially important for kids because there is no real need for them to follow a strict exercise regimen, but it is essential to be active for a good portion of their week. Encouraging increased NEAT is a great way to ensure your kids stay active as they get out of the summertime play routine and get into their school-year habits. There’s plenty of ways you can do this.
- Walk or bike with your kids to school instead of riding the bus or driving
- Plan family activities like walks or park time
- Encourage active chores like playing with pets or taking out the trash
- Enroll in a sports league
These are just a few ideas for keeping your kids active within the confines of everyday. Instilling these habits make exercise and activity feel like part of a routine instead of an additional chore.
Balance Active And Sedentary Time
This is a tip that all parents can consider, whether they have kids in school or not. Creating rules within the house like every hour of screen time must be paired with thirty minutes of something outdoors is another great way to instill healthy habits. We know how easy it can be to get sucked into a TV show marathon, but vegging out on the couch after sitting at a desk all day doesn’t do your child a whole lot of good. Rather, encourage your children to play an active game before and/or after they do a more sedentary activity to ensure they have a good balance throughout the day.
Schedule Weekend Trips To Active Locations
We know that fitting activity into your everyday schedule during the week is challenging. There’s a lot on your plate Monday through Friday, so making a concentrated effort to do something active on the weekends is another great way to ensure your kids get plenty of activity during the school year. Whether your family loves to hike outdoors or you prefer visiting an indoor playground, make a habit of doing something active every weekend to break up the sedentary habits of the week.
Stay Active At The Bounce Place
The Bounce Place is a great solution for parents who want to keep their kids active all year long. Our day passes make it easy to come and go as your schedule allows. Better yet, we’re open all year round so weather won’t prevent you from keeping your kids active.
If back-to-school has your family feeling a little lethargic and a lot sedentary, plan a visit to The Bounce Place today!