Family matters: GO!Kids gets the whole family out for exercise
A simple game of chasing bubbles outdoors encourages active play in families with very young children. (Contributed)
Written By: Mary Anne Swanstrom
Busy lifestyles can make it tough to set aside time for fitness, but why not grab your family and emphasize exercise that’s playtime instead of a workout? Nothing is more important to your child’s future health than your modeling of healthy habits today.
Need some help? Children enrolled in GO!Kids at the Hogan Family YMCA this fall will learn how to encourage active play time within their families. GO!Kids is a free exercise and nutrition program for ages 7 to 12 beginning Sept. 22. Kids meet twice a week in one-hour sessions, and incentives throughout the eight-week program encourage families to work together to meet active play and healthy eating goals. No Y membership is needed to participate.
Try getting the family together to select one of the following active play goals or invent your own. To begin, go for something that is realistic and achievable. In one week, get back together to see how you did and what you learned. Set another goal and keep track of your progress. You can do it!
Family Play Goals:
- This week, we will take a 30-minute family bike ride.
- This week, we will take three family walks together around the block.
- This week, we will attend family swim time at the Y.
- This week, we will walk the dog instead of letting her out into the yard.
- This week, we will play kickball together in the yard.
Download a Play Every Day Quick Start Kit with a colorful progress tracker at http://www.ymcahuntsville.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Play-Every-Day.pdf
