Tips for Parents to get Children Active!

Following on from our child development article for ages 9 to 12, here are some tips to get out and about with your kids!

Getting your child active is a great way to stay involved in their lives without smothering them. Exercise and indulging in a bit of good fun is also essential for your child’s mental and physical health. With summer months approaching we’ve got some ideas to keep you involved in their lives, and to get them active.

Photo by Brandon Morgan on Unsplash

• Get Involved in School Events.

As the school year draws to a close there’s always a flurry of activity in primary schools. Sports Days and school BBQ’s are all great opportunities for you to get involved, spend a bit of extra time with your kid, and you both get to socialise along the way.

• Volunteer Together.

Working in an animal shelter for the day, or helping out down in the local charity shop may not seem like strenuous work but you won’t be saying that at the end of the day! Volunteering with your child is not only a way of getting them to think about values and the wider community, but the time spent together is something to value. You may also get points for being “cool”.

Photo by Janko Ferlič on Unsplash

• Sign Them Up for a Summer Camp.

It might not seem like this is a good way to get to spend time with your child, but those drives to and from camp leave room for a lot of conversation. You could get more out of them in a 20 minute journey than you have all school year. This is especially true if they have a real passion for what they’re doing at camp. This one is an all rounder; their social skills are improving, they’re being active and getting out of the house, they’re developing new skills, and they’re communicating with you. Use this as an opportunity to connect, or reconnect, with your child.

Photo by Patricia Prudente on Unsplash