There are many ways to help kids stay fit. The key is to not turn exercise into a routine. If a child feels he or she is being "made" to exercise they won't want to do it.

Lead by Example. If you are active and have a healthy diet your child is more likely to follow your example.

Ride your Bikes. If you live close enough you can ride together to the grocery, the library, the drugstore. Of course you can ride just for fun.

Your Tax Dollars at Work. Most communities have free parks. You are indirectly paying for them so why not use them? Many city and state parks have playground equipment, tennis courts, walking/biking paths, hiking trails, and exercise trails. Parks also have wide open spaces for kite flying or a nice game of tag. Many also offer various free or low cost programs for children.

It's a Winter Wonderland. Don't use winter as an excuse to hibernate. Nothing burns calories like dragging a sled back to the top of a hill. You can also ice skate or try out snowshoeing, snowboarding, cross country skiing, or downhill skiing. Also those parks are still there when it's cold.

The main thing is to go out there and have fun. Find activities your family enjoys and do them.

Learn more about this author, B. Hefner.
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