Fit and Fun: How to Stay Active as a Family

By Christopher Pregony
Stay Active as a Family

Staying active as a family is a great way to bring everyone closer while getting the exercise we all desperately need. What you can do for activities largely depends on the age of your kids. As kids get older, the spectrum of activities they can participate in expands immensely. Tired of the same old routine? Here are some fun ideas to get everyone active together that are perfect for warm summer weekends!

Water balloon fight

Remember how fun it was to run around and peg your sibling with water balloons? Water balloon fights are a great way to get the heart pumping with the family while making memories that will last a lifetime. Get a few big buckets or coolers, a whole bunch of balloons and let the fun begin! 

Waterslide kickball

This is the ultimate in family or neighborhood fun. It does require some set up and supplies, but is well worth it. The four bases are kiddie pools and the base lines are tarps that connect the bases. You will need stakes to hold the tarps down. It requires dish soap to make it extra slippery and, of course, a kickball! All the rules of kickball apply, but you have to jump in the kiddie pool to be considered safe. It is a lot of fun and quite the workout — talk about two birds with one stone!

Geocaching

Think of this as a high-tech treasure hunt. Use a GPS receiver and a set of clues or coordinates to find a cache of hidden goodies that other geocachers have left behind. If you take your find home, be sure to bring something else with you to leave behind for future geocachers. This is a great way to put a fun spin on traditional hiking.

Fruit picking

There are several farms in the area that allow for picking. Blueberries, strawberries, apples are just a few of the options. It teaches kids where their food comes from and gives the food more value just from the effort it takes to pick. Plus, you will all get a good walk in as you search for the perfect fruits and berries.

Photography

For those of you who have kids are a little bit older, snapping pictures of nature can be a great activity for kids. It allows them to become more aware of their surroundings and gives them a chance to express their artistic side, all while giving them an excuse to get exploring outdoors. Take your kiddos on a hike to find that perfect photo of the springs, or go for an early morning walk to get pictures of the sunrise. You can get a few disposable cameras or some cheaper digital ones so everyone can participate.

Taking the time to be active as a family should be high on your list of priorities. These types of activities are sure to build stronger family bonds while helping to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

 

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