How to get small kids active?
Replies
-
Do you think little kids could use light handweights (1-2 pounds)? I am trying to come up with a circuit program that they would think is fun. They are always trying to pick up my heavier weights.0
-
no exercise no tv, ipods, electronics etc... dont make it that boring to them, dont call it exercise, make it a game with electronics as a reward. limit tv to 1/2hr each a day. if they tire easily is it because they are unfit?? are they unfit because they don't eat the right foods for long lasting energy?? do they get enough quality sleep?0
-
Do you think little kids could use light handweights (1-2 pounds)? I am trying to come up with a circuit program that they would think is fun. They are always trying to pick up my heavier weights.
no, never. this will stunt their growth and could do a lot of long term damage. google it. your child should be on the other side of puberty before picking up a weight. you can invent loads of circuits with out weights.
ie the game is to see how many different things they can do before forgetting. we start with 1.
1.run to the back gate and touch it.
2. run to the back gate, do a star jump, touch the gate.
3. run to the back gate, do a star jump, touch the gate, run around the house.
4. and so on, just add one until they forget a step then they are out.
musical chairs, we use coloured spots - its a version of twister, the tramp never gets boring, bikes, swings at the local park, treasure hunts...0 -
I do need to work on their diet some too, especially breakfast snacks (they eat actual breakfast at school). I am going to get snack bags today to fill them up with fruits and veggies and healthy snacks.no exercise no tv, ipods, electronics etc... dont make it that boring to them, dont call it exercise, make it a game with electronics as a reward. limit tv to 1/2hr each a day. if they tire easily is it because they are unfit?? are they unfit because they don't eat the right foods for long lasting energy?? do they get enough quality sleep?0 -
Maybe rather than focusing on kids exercising focus on your kids playing and being kids. When I was young I didn't exercise I was just playing. If it helps your schedule to have specified exercise times for the kids try signing them up to something fun that they can keep up when they're older like martial arts or gymnastics. I do Taekwondo and the discipline it has given me as I've gotten older is wonderful.0
-
But if they want to "play" weights with you, make some out of the insides of toilet rolls for them to use. No harm at all in that!Do you think little kids could use light handweights (1-2 pounds)? I am trying to come up with a circuit program that they would think is fun. They are always trying to pick up my heavier weights.
no, never. this will stunt their growth and could do a lot of long term damage. google it. your child should be on the other side of puberty before picking up a weight. you can invent loads of circuits with out weights.
That sounds like a fun game, maybe I'll do that myself! :bigsmile:ie the game is to see how many different things they can do before forgetting. we start with 1.
1.run to the back gate and touch it.
2. run to the back gate, do a star jump, touch the gate.
3. run to the back gate, do a star jump, touch the gate, run around the house.
4. and so on, just add one until they forget a step then they are out.
musical chairs, we use coloured spots - its a version of twister, the tramp never gets boring, bikes, swings at the local park, treasure hunts...0 -
My kids don't appear large to most others, but I know they need more exercise (and the doctor said the same thing). I try to get them to exercise with me, including playing games like Just Dance. However, they give up so easily. They get tired too quickly and sit down. Even when I tell them to go play outside, they usually aren't that active or stop sooner than they should. Any ideas to get them to KEEP exercising and not give up so easily? Hubby said my 4 (almost 5) year old daughter could barely run the bases tonight at t-ball practice. Ridiculous!
They are 7, almost 5, and 3.
Invite over more of their friends that are more active... My son had the same problem until I got him to hang out with my friends child who is extremely active.. I've never seen him move so much and not stop just to keep up... unfortunately Peer pressure works!!0 -
All great ideas, also Summer is coming up and all of your local libraries should have Summer Reading programs planned1 It will encourage them not only to read during the summer but if you take your kids to the programs very many of them are interactive and so much fun! This years theme is Dream Big, Read! A lot of the programs are going to be based on Night games and activities!0
-
I have to second the person who said geocaching. If you have a smartphone, you can download a free geocaching (intro) app to get started. That worked just fine for us in the beginning. We went to a park the other day that has 24 caches. My husband and I estimated that our 4 year old and 7 year old each walked about 4 - 5 miles. I carried the 4 year old for maybe 2 blocks of that. When we go to the playground at the park near our house, the 4 year old told me she wanted to go find the cache on the other side of the lake instead of swinging.
We also have a mini trampoline in the house. Best gift Santa ever left
I keep it in the livingroom. Yes, there is a pink camo tramp in my pretty livingroom. I think that since they walk right by it all the time they are inclined to stop and bounce. I make active games out of all sorts of things with it. For example, I'll tell them to pick up their shoes, run to the tramp, jump 10 times and then go put their shoes in their closets.
We also do LOTS of obstacle courses. I think the key thing with those is to let the kids help build them and time them. I never ever compare the older one's time to the younger one's. I stress that they are to try and beat their own fastest time. You would be surprised at how many times that will keep them running around again and again and cheering for each other.
We have family Nerf gun fights too. As long as my husband and I are playing and chasing them around like big goofballs, they will run like crazy.
I'm pretty hardcore about tv watching and game playing. They are limited and know that when I say time's up, they have to turn the electronics off. After awhile, I was pleasantly surprised at how they sense when they've had enough and turn them off on their own.0 -
Build exercise into your everyday lives. Walk to the shops, go on bike rides, buy a trampoline, organise skipping games in the garden, ANYTHING to get them moving!0
-
Kids take influence from their parents. Get your *kitten* up and play a football match with your kids in a park. They'll love it,they'll want it again.0
-
Three words: Giant Hamster Wheel
'nuff said0 -
some sort of outdoor play area is vital. my parents tied ropes up in trees, bought a swingset, a sandpit, a slippery slide, bicycles, and they were earning very little when i was small. (they didn't buy us many toys, no video games, etc) they also took us to the park. 'go downstairs and play' was a common phrase. 'feed the chooks' or 'help daddy water the garden' or do the yard work were also our jobs. mum also made us dry the dishes, starting from ages of 3 and 5.
inviting other kids around is the best way to get some real running happening. teach games like hide and seek, tiggy, 1,2,3,home, red red rover, etc. play it with them, then when you tell them to go outside and play next time, tell them to play it.
dance classes or soccer or something are also usually fun.
kids can't imagine or establish good routines themselves - you have to get creative and make a routine for them. when i was little, my after-preschool routine was: snack, draw/toys, some tv (while the sun was still too hot - i'm aussie), 'go downstairs and play!', then do dinner chores.
do you know what my routine is now? afternoon tea while playing a little, go outside and either walk or run for an hour or so, dinner prep and chores. because my parents set this routine for me when i was little, it is what i have always followed! 0 -
I have a 5 yr old.... My husband and I are both very active, so he has been raised seeing activity as an everyday occurrence, but for my son, we:
Take him to the playground and play chasing games
My husband has light saber battles with him (he is Star Wars obsessed)
We go for hikes together (have been doing this since before he could walk in the Bjorn - but once he could walk, he would walk the trails with us, just shorter distances - now he can go a few miles)
In the summer, we run towards the waves and away from them to see if we can chase the waves, and if the waves can get us
We walk to the farm near us with old fruit and veggies to feed the animals - it's about a mile and a half total
I sign him up for fun runs - usually a half mile to a mile, and I run with him - they are usually about 5 dollars before almost any race0 -
My daughters are 10 and almost 4. We have a trampoline, which they usually get on daily. We also do Zumba and just dance on the WII. We go to the park alot to play, or just walk the walking trails. All that activity also makes them sleep better at night!0
-
Definitely find a sport or physical activity that is fun for them. If it's not fun, they won't do it. I did dance and gymnastics as a kid, my sister played soccer. My son is in t-ball right now and LOVES it. All kids are different so you might need to try a few different things.
Also, making it a family thing: go on family bike rides, take walks around the neighborhood/park, make a weekly game of family basketball/soccer/whatever---just something to get outside and moving around. Playing Just Dance on the Wii or Kinect or whatever (I am admittedly video game challenged and haven't owned a console since N64 when I was like 12 lol) is great too!0 -
If you allow video games, stop. Going outside to play will appeal to them far more if they have no other options.0
-
Once our DS was old enough we bought a trail-a-bike to attach to the back of DH's cheap mountain bike. Eventually he outgrew that and we invested in a Co-Motion road tandem with a telescopic rear seat-post. So anyone from 4'-5'8" or so fits well on the back of the bike. Last Summer our son was 10 and managed as far as 53 miles in a single ride on the back of that bike. I ride along on my solo road bike (and struggle to keep up with those two!)...it's a really fun way to spend the day as a family. Exercise is simply a bonus. And people can't help but smile when they see our skinny kid behind his big dad on the bike. :happy:0
-
At this age it is so easy. If you can't get them going now, it is only going to get harder. Bikes, sports, trampoline, park, walks, swingsets, a pet to play with outside. Get outside with them and play. At this age, you may need to keep giving them ideas. Do they have toys to play with outside? Bikes, scooters, balls? If there is nothing interesting for them, of course they won't want to go outside and they won't think it is fun.0
-
:huh: :huh: :huh: :huh: :huh: :huh: :huh: :huh:
:huh: :huh:
I'm fat, buttttt you couldn't get me to come from outside when I was younger. I guess it depends on where you live. I mean we had a big community of kids, and we played on the swings, frisbee, jump rope, hula hoop, running, softball, football, hide and seek (BEST.GAME.EVER) I'm only 20 but I remember these days like it was yesterday. We played in the mud (awesome mud pies), jacks, basketball. and when all else failed, we just used our imagination and made up some random stuff.0 -
I have a 5 year old and a 3 year old. Both have a gymnastics class and a yoga class once a week. I just signed them up for swim lessons for the summer which now also involves me as I will need to be in the pool with my little one but it's worth it! Also, we go for family walks. If they are hesitant I tell them that their babies need some fresh air and we pack up their dolls in the little strollers and walk them around the block. Sometimes my older one rides her bike while the little one rides her princess mobile or walks her baby in the stroller. Last year I started to run more serioulsy than I have in the past. When I started running races (including two 1/2 marathons) I always have someone there with my kids (my husband travels often so is not always there or he runs many of the races with me) at the finish line to watch the excitement. My older girls has been begging to run with me and I told her this summer I would let her start. The Easter bunny brought her her first pair of real running shoes along with running shorts and shirt. We plan to go out on our first run this weekend.0
-
I like to sit in the yard outside with the kid. I get a bucket with ice in it and beers. Then I simply lock them out of the house , and use my garden hose to make sure they are well hydrated, as well as moving around. If I get a count to ten and they are slacking, spray them. We do things like carry the rock. Bounce the ball. swing the bat. And I have slingshots and bb guns is they need to rest their legs. The cat hates it, but I mean you have to break a few eggs to make a cake.
I am prepping them for the eventual collapse of society, when they may have to walk a lot with no gas or anything. I'm hoping by that time I'll be a bit older, so I'll mostly just be able to relax wile they go out and bring back boxes of twinkies or fresh water. Really just having a plan is essential.0 -
If you allow video games, stop. Going outside to play will appeal to them far more if they have no other options.
Agreed! We had this issue with my son (10 yo). Everything is electronic anymore and the kids don't know how to play. No longer an issue. The only video game time he gets now is for A's on spelling tests, he gets 30 mins for that otherwise out side is where all the fun is! We have a trampoline and a huge yard, so we play follow the leader, badminton, Frisbee, catch, tag. The more active in playtime that I am the more playful they are
0 -
I like to sit in the yard outside with the kid. I get a bucket with ice in it and beers. Then I simply lock them out of the house , and use my garden hose to make sure they are well hydrated, as well as moving around. If I get a count to ten and they are slacking, spray them. We do things like carry the rock. Bounce the ball. swing the bat. And I have slingshots and bb guns is they need to rest their legs. The cat hates it, but I mean you have to break a few eggs to make a cake.
I am prepping them for the eventual collapse of society, when they may have to walk a lot with no gas or anything. I'm hoping by that time I'll be a bit older, so I'll mostly just be able to relax wile they go out and bring back boxes of twinkies or fresh water. Really just having a plan is essential.
As always, you are the voice of reason.0 -
My boys are 4 and 6, and my 6 year old just came home from school with a fitness/food survey project. They gave him a pedometer, and a control sheet - where he has to track the number of steps he takes each day - and how many servings of fruits and vegetables he eats every day for a week. I was SHOCKED when I saw he had accumulated nearly 30,000 steps in one day.
Perhaps you can get the kids involved by using a similar approach. Get a pedometer for them (they are really cheap - many health providers give them out for free, otherwise, there is a new program called Walk With Walgreens, where you sign up (name/email) and they give you a great little pedometer and coupons and such - you can do it in the store). Get a chart/paper and post it on the fridge - then find fun ways to get them out and moving.
Some of our favorite activities are going to the park, taking hikes, biking (or scootering), playing catch, swimming (so excited it is almost that season again!), jumping rope, jumping jacks, etc.
But, I also work out at home - so the kids often join in with us. They don't participate in the whole thing, but they do like to do the simple exercises. They boys also love to have races, with one heat being running, one being galloping, one being skipping, etc. Make it fun and keep it simple. It is just the four of us, but often we break into teams and do relays.
We are lucky to live near many parks and a great trail system or two. Do some research and find out what is available in the your area - a local chamber or convention and visitors bureau is a great place to start.
Finally - don't overlook the other sports and activities you can do together or with their peers. Programs through your health and human services department (ours is called Move to Improve), the YMCA, Boys & Girls Club, etc. have many options. For example my son is a member of the Boys and Girls Club and every day after school he gets structured activities, including Daily Challenge (where it is a physical activity), usually followed by Healthy Habits, where they learn how to make a healthy snack.
And, like another poster suggested - the best gift we can give our kids is a great example. Good luck!0 -
I am prepping them for the eventual collapse of society, when they may have to walk a lot with no gas or anything. I'm hoping by that time I'll be a bit older, so I'll mostly just be able to relax wile they go out and bring back boxes of twinkies or fresh water. Really just having a plan is essential.
The zombie apocalypse ain't got nuthin' on you! :laugh: :drinker:0 -
I am prepping them for the eventual collapse of society, when they may have to walk a lot with no gas or anything. I'm hoping by that time I'll be a bit older, so I'll mostly just be able to relax wile they go out and bring back boxes of twinkies or fresh water. Really just having a plan is essential.
Bill, you should write a parenting book or start a talk show. Dr. Phil has nothin' on you!0 -
Wake them up? That's about all it takes to get my 3 yr old bouncing off the walls.0
-
Find some fun outside games to play, a mini basketball goal, a kick ball, maybe a water sprinkler, have a water balloon or water gun fight during the summer, play hide n seek, freeze tag, hop scotch, build a fort out of cardboard boxes, Frisbee, baseball, soccer, take them on walks (maybe hike through some nature trails if there are any near), parks, swimming, Volleyball was always a summer fave of mine growing up, Just make it fun and keep them hydrated join in with them make a play date out of it and picnic with them after having an hour or so of play. I have problems keeping my 2 year old in the house he is always trying to escape to the outside lol.0
-
My boys are 4 and 6, and my 6 year old just came home from school with a fitness/food survey project. They gave him a pedometer, and a control sheet - where he has to track the number of steps he takes each day - and how many servings of fruits and vegetables he eats every day for a week. I was SHOCKED when I saw he had accumulated nearly 30,000 steps in one day.
Perhaps you can get the kids involved by using a similar approach. Get a pedometer for them (they are really cheap - many health providers give them out for free, otherwise, there is a new program called Walk With Walgreens, where you sign up (name/email) and they give you a great little pedometer and coupons and such - you can do it in the store). Get a chart/paper and post it on the fridge - then find fun ways to get them out and moving.
Some of our favorite activities are going to the park, taking hikes, biking (or scootering), playing catch, swimming (so excited it is almost that season again!), jumping rope, jumping jacks, etc.
But, I also work out at home - so the kids often join in with us. They don't participate in the whole thing, but they do like to do the simple exercises. They boys also love to have races, with one heat being running, one being galloping, one being skipping, etc. Make it fun and keep it simple. It is just the four of us, but often we break into teams and do relays.
Last spring I joined a Women Out Walking challenge through our local Health Dept and after my 7 year old begged I went and got both of mine pedometers. The first day he wore it I was also shocked! After a full day at school and riding to and from school he had almost 27,000! My kids also love to do my work out DVD's with me...in fact, sometimes my little trainer is tougher then Jillian Michaels herself LOL!0
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 393.3K Introduce Yourself
- 43.8K Getting Started
- 260.2K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.9K Food and Nutrition
- 47.4K Recipes
- 232.5K Fitness and Exercise
- 424 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.5K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153K Motivation and Support
- 8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.3K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.7K MyFitnessPal Information
- 24 News and Announcements
- 1.1K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.6K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions