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Just Go Outside and Play!
Fun Ways to Stay Active with
Your Kids
Your Kids
By Gwen Morrison
Remember the old days when you used to relish the idea of a game of hide-and-seek or be the first one to initiate a vigorous round of tag? As children, our bodies were toned to endure the lengthy running games; our limbs were accustomed to the bouncing and skipping that we used them for every day. Back then, fitness was so much fun that we never knew we were keeping our bodies in shape; we were just so happy to be outside.
As adults we soon forget the games of our childhood – the activities that allowed us hours of enjoyment with friends and family. We often get so busy that we forget that it is all right to play as a child plays: carefree.
"We love to play Frisbee and ride bikes around the neighborhood," says Kelley Hunsicker of Irmo, S.C. "My husband and I are summer people and we like to just go out and play. We usually have a lot of the neighborhood in our yard playing – kids ranging in age from 6 all the way through 19 years old. Lots of activity and play goes on here."
Hunsicker and her husband have the right idea. Children absolutely love it when a parent is involved in whatever activity they are doing. Whether it's a race for who can swing the highest on the backyard swing set or shooting hoops in a game of basketball, parents and children will find themselves having fun and getting fit.