Your Own Open Gym
It’s no secret our country has a weight problem. And some of the most impacted are our children. According to the American Heart Association, one in three American children and teens is overweight or obese. Yikes!
Several factors contribute to this: poor nutrition, lack of exercise, too much TV time, eating fast food and the list goes on. Parks can play a role in tackling this problem by giving children safe places to spend time outdoors.
The great thing about kids is you can sneak exercise into any park trip – particularly if you label it a “game”:
– Plan a scavenger hunt that requires kids to hit all corners of the park in their search so they do plenty of walking or running. (See our post about how to geocache in the parks.)
– We haven’t encountered a kid yet who doesn’t love a good game of chase, so start chasing (plus you get some exercise too).
– Organize a race or obstacle course around the trees or down the slide.
– Play a game of Frisbee or bring the soccer ball and kick it around an open field.
– Practice pull-ups on the jungle gym.
And when you’re ready for a break, pack a healthy snack to refuel. Here are a couple healthy snack ideas from Charleston’s Tina Whetzel, owner of EatFit LiveFit + CrossFit Mt Pleasant.
What are your tricks for getting your kids to exercise at the park?