We’re a little more than halfway through summer, and chances are good that if you have kids at home you’ve heard “I’m bored” already. The structure and schedules of the school year are forgotten and even with a full slate of activities, the down time can quickly turn into boredom. And more than likely, that boredom will translate into some sort of sedentary activity.
This is the time of year that the weather is cooperative to get outside and get busy. However, not too many kids are actually doing that. A recent Kaiser Family Foundation study found that kids spend, on average, more than seven hours per day with electronic media. That could be a computer, a tablet, a cell phone, or other device. And chances are good not much of that electronic media requires your kids to get moving at all.
So the million dollar question is, how can you help your kids take advantage of the summer temps, get outside and get fit? It starts with turning off the TV and putting the devices down. Sure, you’ll be met with groans and moans, but you will have happier, healthier kids if you can push them out the door!
The ACA recommends several fun ways to help your kids get fit, including:
- Playing a pickup game of soccer or baseball with friends.
- Kayaking. Head down to a lake or a river and paddle around.
- Jumping rope. Have a competition with friends to see who can go the longest without step- ping on the rope.
- Dancing. Turn up the volume on your favorite tunes, and invite your friends over for an impromptu dance party.
- Rollerblading. Dust off your skates, grab your friends and hit the sidewalk for a tour of the town or bring your hockey stick and join in a game of street hockey.
- Bike riding. Air up your tires, put on your helmet and hit the road. Biking can be a fun activity for you and your kids.
If rollerblading isn’t their thing or you can’t get them active in your own neighborhood, take them to the pool, on a nature hike, or to a local park. The first few days of activity to combat boredom might be tough, but after a week or two, you will all begin to recognize the benefits.
It’s also important to keep in mind that getting kids outside doesn’t have to be a day-long affair, or become your new full-time job. The U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services recommends one hour a day of physical activity for children. One hour up, out, and away from electronic media. It’s up to us as parents, grandparents and caregivers, to make sure our kids can enjoy all of the associated benefits of regular activity. We can do that by making sure the focus isn’t all about a specific activity, but about their fun, safety and wellness in the process. And if the bumps and bruises of childhood happen along the way, remember that all of us at Carlson Chiropractic Center are standing by to help you and your kids make the most of your summer vacation!