As parents, we bear the responsibility of teaching our kids to tie their shoes, cross the street and buckle up their seatbelts every time they climb into a car.
An often overlooked, but equally important parenting duty is to instill an appreciation for routine exercise in our children. As parents, we play a key role in the development of healthy habits in our kids, as youngsters watch closely and take health and fitness behavioral cues from us. Spend too much time as a family lounging in front of the television, and you could set your child up for a sedentary lifestyle that could lead to obesity and other problems. However, encourage your family to eat well and exercise regularly, and you can shape healthy dietary and physical behaviors that will last a lifetime.
The good news is that getting your family to exercise can be simple, inexpensive, and, best of all, fun! Below, we’ve outlined nine frugal strategies for making exercise a part of your family’s daily life.
Limit TV and computer time. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, kids under the age of two should not watch TV, while kids older than two should spend less than two hours a day in front of a screen. Allow TV and computer use at a designated time, and only after homework and a healthy amount of physical activity has been completed. You can remove temptation by keeping screens in family areas so you can supervise use, rather than in kids’ bedrooms.
Head outside. Why shell out for an expensive gym membership when the world is full of wide open spaces, playgrounds and parks? Make it a habit to spend family time outside, where the fresh air and sunshine can boost your mood and kids can run, skip, and roll around without fear of breaking something or being underfoot.
Create variety. Jogging, swimming and competitive sports aren’t the only types of physical activity. Healthy (and totally free) exercise comes in many forms, including walking, playing tag, snowball fighting, fort-building, gardening, sledding, running through the sprinkler, building a snowman, throwing around a Frisbee… the list goes on! Find an activity that’s more like play, and less like working out, and your kids will start looking forward to physical activity time.
Don’t succumb to cabin fever. When it’s chilly outside, it may require a bit of resourcefulness to get your family to exercise. Don’t allow the cold or rainy weather to get in the way of your family’s fitness. Try playing indoor hide-and-seek, having a living room fashion show or dance off, or working out to a zany 80s workout YouTube video. Research local bowling alleys, roller skating rinks and indoor play parks to see if they offer discounted rates during certain times or on certain days of the week.
Invite friends. While younger kids may be satisfied to hang out with their parents, older kids may enjoy physical activity more if they’re doing it with their friends. Encourage your kids to invite their friends along on the next family hike, day at the beach or bike ride.
Ask for input. Call a family meeting, and ask your children for suggestions of physical family activities that they would enjoy. You may be impressed with the imaginative ideas your youngsters come up with.
Get on a schedule. When it comes to building healthy habits, both kids and parents respond well to structure. Work with your kids to develop a schedule that blocks out a chunk of time for physical activity each day. Designate certain days to try out one of the activities they suggested. When you decide on a plan, put it into writing and have every member sign it. Stick to the plan and, in time, daily fitness may become second-nature to your family.
Get the essentials. You don’t have to invest in fancy fitness equipment or expensive sports gear, but you may want to consider heading to a used sporting goods store to purchase a few physical playtime essentials, such as jump ropes, balls and swings. Fix up the old bicycle hidden in your garage or build a treehouse in your backyard to give your youngsters incentive to play outside.
Be a good role model. Remember to practice what you preach by limiting your own screen time and prioritizing active pursuits in your own life. Youngsters who frequently see and hear about their parents engaging in and enjoying fitness and sports are more likely to do so themselves.
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9 Frugal Strategies for Getting Your Family to Exercise originally appeared on usnews.com
