Now that the school season has begun and the temps are dropping, chances are that you and your kids will be spending less time outdoors, and by extension, less time exercising. Life gets busy and that’s just how things have to be, right? Well, believe it or not, there are tons of simple ways that you and your family can keep active while at home and maintain your busy schedules. No crazy workout regimens required! Check out this list from our friends at Virtua Health.
Movement-Based Video Games
As a parent, you may be used to telling your kids to “turn the game off” and be productive. But what if they could have their cake and eat it too, while also getting the whole family involved? Nearly every video game console features a variety of games that utilize movement or exercise as the main gameplay mechanic. There are many sports themed motion games, such as Nintendo Switch Sports for the Nintendo Switch.
Though if sports aren’t your thing, Just Dance is an incredibly popular rhythm game that features incredibly easy pick-up-and-play controls: just simply match the choreography on the TV to earn points and be the best dancer in the room! Of course, if you don’t own a video game console, dance videos on YouTube are an amazing substitute!
Join a Community Sports League
Many communities offer fall sports leagues for families and children.
Whether it’s soccer, flag football, or tennis, participating in sports can enhance physical fitness, teach teamwork, and provide a sense of accomplishment. It’ll keep you and your family busy during the fall season, as well as providing a great way to stay active.
Plan Active Family Outings
Family outings don’t have to be sedentary, go for some activities that require movement. The upcoming fall season offers so many fun and unique outdoor activities, such as visiting a corn maze, going apple picking, or attending a fall festival with plenty of walking and games.
Tip: Look for local events that offer educational components, like learning about local agriculture or history, to combine physical activity with mental stimulation.
Start a Family Garden
September is an excellent time to plant fall vegetables like kale, broccoli, and carrots. Whether it’s some small plants in the kitchen or a wide array of plants in the backyard, gardening is a wonderful way to get everyone to have some fun with food. It could add a whole new level of excitement to eating healthily – what’s more fun than chowing down on some veggies you grew yourself?
Cook Together
Perhaps after you’ve grown your own veggies, you could use them to cook together as a family. With school back in session, it's the perfect time to establish a routine of cooking healthy meals together. Involving the whole family in meal preparation can teach kids valuable cooking skills and nutritional knowledge. Plus, it’s a great way to spend quality time together.
These are just a few of the ways you can promote a healthy lifestyle while having fun now that school is back in session. It can be a hassle to wrangle your kids together while brainstorming fun activities, so we hope this helped to generate some ideas!
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