How to Get Your Sedentary Kids Active

Getting your kids away from the computer and television can be a monumental task. With a little planning and forethought, you can encourage your child to become more active. The American Heart Association recommends sixty minutes of physical activity every day. They recommend these tips to get your child off the couch and active:

Be prepared to offer alternative activities to TV, such as playing ball or walking the dog.

Get involved with your kids. Do not just send them out to play, go with them.This allows you to spend quality time with your child.

Do not position the furniture where the TV is the focus of the room. Remove TVs from bedrooms. Do not use TV as reward or punishment.

Plan your TV watching in advance. Schedule the shows to watch and turn the TV off afterwards.

Lead by example. Your kids will be more receptive if you follow the same TV schedule as them.

Technology can work in your favor when it comes to motivating your kids. The WII gaming system has many games requiring physical activity. Research the different gaming systems online. Read the reviews and check out the demos to find the right one for you. Here are some ideas from ehow.com to get your kids moving:

Take a trip to the arcade. Many interactive arcade games require physical activity.

Put on music and dance. Dancing can be fun and it burns calories

Put a pedometer on your kids. Make it a contest to see who walks the most.

Purchase board games requiring physical activity

Household chores, such as mowing the lawn or raking leaves, are good exercise. It might be difficult to motivate your kids to do something perceived as work. A little positive praise goes a long way in encouraging their participation.

Sources:

ehow.com "How to Get Kids to Exercise Using Technology"(accessed March 28,2010)

americanheart.org "How to Limit Tube Time and Get Your Kids Moving" (accessed March 28, 2010)