This post was sponsored by Boys & Girls Clubs of America as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.
I grew up just like my kids did, with handheld game systems, computers, and a TV in every room. For some reason, being indoors all day just wasn’t something that anyone really did back then, but my childhood wasn’t really like that. I never played sports, the only outdoorsy thing I did was run around and ride my bike. I lived in Brooklyn, where the sidewalk was the only place for me to play unless we went to a park. Now, as a mom of seven, five of them being boys, it’s not a easy task to get them outside and get active on their own. I always have to get involved and come up with ways that encourages them to get active. Scroll to read a few easy & fun ways to get kids active.
I put together a few ways that fit within any family’s busy schedule while still promoting a healthy, active lifestyle for kids.
Easy & Fun Ways To Get Kids Active
Get competitive! Kids are almost always competitive and my kids were always up for a challenge! Get them outside and see who can run the fastest, throw the ball the furthest, or try a flag football kit (my kids love playing flag football) and watch their eyes light up as they play!
Go for a walk – sometimes a walk is all you have time for and that’s ok! It’s one of the best ways to get active while also giving you and your kids a chance to catch up and talk!
Enroll them in BGCA. What I’ve always loved about BGCA is that they provide a safe, fun and, more importantly, affordable places for kids to go after school. It gives kids the opportunity to connect with caring, trained professionals, and engage in programs and activities. Clubs serve 4 million kids and teens annually at more than 4,300 Clubs in communities across the country, from dense cities to the suburbs and rural areas!
The Boys & Girls Clubs of America mission has always been about enabling all kids to reach their full potential and become productive, caring, and responsible citizens. Clubs believe every child deserves a great future and they help the youth achieve this through three pillars academic success; good character, citizenship (so important), and healthy lifestyles. Their Triple Play program that’s in partnership with the Anthem Foundation and The Coca-Cola Company focuses on three important components of health and wellness – mind, body and soul.
***Since Triple Play’s introduction in 2005, more than one million club members have participated in the program, increased their physical activity, established good nutritional habits, developed interpersonal skills and improved self-confidence. Click here for their At-A-Glance fact sheet.
Keep kids active during school breaks.
During the holidays it’s important to keep kids motivated and continue to maintain a fun and relaxed atmosphere. Often times a break in your routine and/or school schedule can lead to inactive or unhealthy days.
BGCA also provides great lessons and activities from the Triple Play program that parents can easily incorporate into their routines – especially during school breaks. I love that the Trip Play Parent Guide features a ChooseMyPlate.gov graphic that illustrates the five food groups that are the building blocks for a healthy diet using a familiar and easy to read image of a place setting for a meal.
How do you motivate your kids to get outside and get active?
The Boys & Girls Club is such a fantastic resource for parents. I love supporting organizations that are supportive of families especially working families so that kids can have fun after school in a safe environment!
My kids love to be outside. I don’t love it as much in the colder months, but they’ll play outside any time!
We walk everywhere, and if I can, I try to always walk across a park when the kids are with me. That way we can chase each other around and get plenty of exercise. And it’s lots of fun, too 🙂
Louise x
I spent so much time outside when I was a kid, and when I have children of my own, I definitely want to encourage them to get active instead is spending so much time with electronics. I didn’t go to the BGCA when I was younger, but when I lived on base, we had a youth center that was very similar.
I am all about keeping my kids active! We have a really great backyard. We spend as much time as possible outside to get energy out.
I love taking my kids to the park. We have a pretty decent number to choose from so it never gets boring. I probably go down as many slides as they do!
Trying a few sports out with them is definitely a fun way to get them active. There are so many cool camps and after school programs too!
It can be hard this time of the year to get the kids active. But, I try to get them outside running around doing something even on the cold days.
This is such a great organization for kids! I know they do so much good for the community. I like getting my kids outside to get active, and play at the park.
My son took up walking years ago and now I can’t keep him still. He loves walking everywhere. I really like these ideas to get kids up and moving.
My kids are highly active so I definitely love suggestions for activities. I’m the one who needs to keep up ?