How to Get Your Kids Away from the TV and Active

getting kids active

 

The last school bell has rung and summer is here.  Kids could spend the entire summer watching TV or on a mobile device. However, watchful parents ensure kids are getting outside, exercising, and staying away from digital screens. Here’s to an active summer and the joys of movement.  Check out our tips on getting kids active:  

Get a Job

Depending on their age, help kids get a full or part-time job for the summer. Does working at a local pool, taking breaks to swim and being in the sun, sound so bad?  Fortunately, younger kids can work limited hours at bagel shops, lemonade stands, etc.

 Read That Book Series

Some kids are assigned books to read for summer. I ’s usually long, something the child does not want to read and is reserved for the last week of summer. As a result, take the pressure away.  As a result, add a few exciting and fun selections. Take your child to the bookstore and have them select the first book out of a series.  If they like it, they’re likely to continue reading the series.

Volunteer Your Time

Kids have a lot of time on their hands in the summer. So much that they can hold a part-time job and still have a lot of free time. It would be altruistic and look great on college applications if they devoted time toward volunteering at a local YMCA, food shelter, local business, etc. Ask around town or do a Google search to find volunteer opportunities in your area.

Get in Shape

Exercise is healthy, and with child obesity a serious issue, it’s encouraged that kids find an athletic hobby such as biking, skating, jogging, etc. The mild temperature and the sunshine make it easy to engage in an activity or sport. Inquire about sports their friends play or take kids to the sporting goods store and see if any equipment piques their interest. Getting kids active is a parental responsibility.  

See the State

Some kids attend great schools and live in peaceful and safe neighborhoods.  But, some kids don’t even know what it’s like in other parts of their state. Schedule time to take your child on some road trips. While having a destination in mind like a museum is enriching, the experience of seeing other places and people can be enough. Use this weather app to choose the best days to take road trips.

Help at the House

Kids grow to be adults and later moms and dads. So as adults , take care of things around the house such as laundry, cutting the grass, making minor repairs, taking care of the pets and so on. The summer is a good time to increase a number of things a child does around the home so they can lend a hand. Perhaps a minor money incentive or reward could inspire them to do even more!

We hope you enjoyed the tips on getting kids active. Get creative, and demonstrate that being active is not boring and most importantly it’s healthy.

Little Tikes Tee Ball Review

I purchased this Little Tikes Tee Ball set for my grandson this summer and he absolutely loves it.  He usually wakes up around 8:00 or 8:30 each morning.  After he gets his bearings, he wants to immediately head outside to play baseball.  Now he is a lover of pancakes and when something is placed before his beloved pancakes, it is a great product. 

The set is nice and thick and sturdy.  It’s a good thing, because my grandson has the ability to play in the majors as we speak.  When he gets positioned and swings, the ball is a goner.  As he says, “I hit a home run Mama”.   As you can see from the picture above, he’s wearing his McQueen PJs.  I was able to get shoes and socks on him before we headed out the door, lol. 

I was quite surprised by the quality of the product for the price that I paid at our local Wal-Mart.  Xavier is able to pick up the tee and steady it when he knocks it over.  I’m not sure if my yard is uneven or if it’s the force behind the batter that knocks the tee over.  Regardless, I will stand behind this product. 

The set is easy to assembly.  It includes the tee, 2 balls and an oversized bat.  When Xavier first used the set, he struggled to hit the ball without knocking the tee over.  It didn’t take him long to learn that he just needed to hit the ball.  The set helps with coordination and batting skills.  He is now learning about bases and sliding.  Where he learned to slide I have no idea.

In addition to teaching Xavier basic skills, the set has provided hours of family fun.  He even managed to get his diva mommy, my daughter, to play ball with him in 4 inch heels.  He got quite a thrill out of that moment.  

The set is worth the purchase and I highly recommended.  I love Little Tikes products and this set is a reminder of why.  Head out and make the purchase, your kids will love you for it. 

Wordless Wednesday

Look at me Grandma!

I Don’t Want To See Mommy, lets stay here with Gran!

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