Play Games

Family time is so important to raising kids and growing together as a family. As a parent it is a great feeling teaching your kids about new things and creating fun memories. Now days, though, many of these family times are stuck on the couch in front of the TV.

Over the past several years there has been a big push for family game night. This is a great way to not watch TV, however does not always get everyone moving. As a parent you want to your children to be healthy too.

Family game night doesn't always mean gathering around the traditional board game. In warmer months there are many outdoor activities that can be done as a family. Some cost a little money or requires some sort of equipment but overall these activities are relatively cheap. Miniature golf or the driving range are inexpensive ways to spend time together moving outside.

Some activities that can bring you back to childhood are playing tag, running bases, catch, four-square, kickball, wiffleball, volleyball and shoot hoops. Why not have a jump rope or hula hoop contest? It's fun on a hot summer’s day to swim or even just play in the sprinkler, possibly have a water fight. What about simply going for a walk together?

There are those days where you just do not want to leave the house, you can gather around the table and play “21 fitness”:

Supplies: pen, paper and 2 dice, 2 different colors (if you don't have 2 different colors use nail polish to mark one die).

Designate one die as the exercise die and the other as the number die. The exercise die 1- push-up; 2- crunches; 3- jumping jacks; 4- squats; 5- lunges; 6- dips.

Roll both dice do the number of exercises on the number die and the exercise that appears on the exercise die. The first one to do all 6 exercises 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 times wins. In the meantime you get a little workout.

Gather up the family and have a fun exercised day! Click here for more ideas on family fitness.

Written by Angie Conway, OnTrack Fitness instructor. Read more of Angie's posts here.

Have a favorite family game? Share it with us, we'd love to hear from you.