If They Love It, They’ll Do It

One sure way to help your children get at least 60 minutes of activity each day is to help them find things they love doing. Then, create plenty of opportunities to enjoy those activities.

Some children want the companionship and competition of team sports. Others prefer more solitary or less structured activities. Others need help when the weather turns hot or cold. And some just want new ways to play with a group of friends.

Whatever their preferences, these suggestions will boost their activity level.

Fun for One

• Go for a bike ride, in-line skate tour, or skateboard session. (Just remember the helmet, knee and elbow pads!)
• Jump rope—and count how many times you can go without missing.
• Practice dancing to some favorite songs—or invent new dance moves.
• Walk the dog, or just take a walk around the block. (Washing the dog outside can be fun, too.)
• Practice shooting baskets, hitting a tennis ball against a wall, or keeping a soccer ball or foot bag in the air using just your feet and knees.

Fun for Two

All the above suggestions, plus…

• Play badminton (you don't need a net—just two racquets and a birdie).
• Stage a handstand contest to see who can stay up the longest.
• Name a cartwheel champ—whoever can do the most in a row.
• Toss and catch a baseball, softball, football or Frisbee®.
• Go on an adventure hike.

Fun for a Group

All the above suggestions, plus…

• Have a skateboarding or in-line skating contest.
• Play tag, or hide and seek.
• Stage a dance contest, or dance-a-thon.
• Jump rope. Use one rope, or go double dutch!
• Set up a scavenger hunt.
• Run a race around the block, and see who comes in first, second and third.

When It's Hot Outside

• Jump in the pool. (Just be sure to get permission first and supervise small children.) Practice different strokes, organize races, or put on a water acrobatics show with handstands, somersaults and back flips. Or get out the sprinkler and start running through it!
• Have a water balloon toss. Or a good old-fashioned water balloon battle.
• Play catch over a running sprinkler. (Or just run through the sprinkler.)
• Take a nature hike through a shady area.

When It's Cold Outside

• Shovel snow off a sidewalk or driveway. See how much you can shovel in one minute, five minutes, 10 minutes…
• Make snow people, snow angels, or make up an entirely new snow creature.
• Play snow tag. (It's harder to run in the snow.)
• Go sledding, or take turns pulling friends on a sled.
• Go skating at your local roller rink.

When You’re Indoors

• Play “balloon volleyball” and try to keep the balloon in the air!
• Make up some dance routines to your favorite music.
• Make some paper airplanes and let them fly! (Watch out not to aim them at others)
• Plays “Simon Says” and follow Simon as they hop, skip, jump and dance.