10 fun physical activities you can do with your kids

One of the things I’ve thought about a lot recently is the fact that for the majority of my daughters’ lives, I’ve been overweight. As a result, I really had no motivation at all to get out with them and engage in any type of physical activity. At most, we would ride bikes together or walk around the block, but other than that, we didn’t do much. I also regret that I hadn’t been a very good example to them in this area of life until recently. Thankfully, they both have been fairly active on their own, which is great, and now I can support them and join in with them.

So with a three-day weekend coming up, now is a great time to talk about different activities that you can do with your kids that will get you out and get you moving. And who knows? You might also create some memories and/or traditions that you all can take with you well beyond the weekend!

So here’s my ten ideas for getting out and getting moving with your kids, no particular order:

1. Swimming - great exercise, especially if you have joint pain or other joint issues. Also, it can keep you cool if the weather’s really hot - no sweating!
2. Hiking - If you live in the flatlands like we do, this isn’t necessarily the most strenuous form of exercise; however, it’s still getting you outside and moving.
3. Geocaching - Never heard of geocaching? Think of it as high-tech hide-and-seek. Not only does it get you outside and hiking, but the kids really like the feeling of searching for hidden treasures. This one does require some additional equipment - a handheld GPS unit that allows you to enter latitude and longitude coordinates. For more information, head to the Geocaching.com website and click on the ‘Getting Started’ link on the left.
4. Golf - Again, this activity requires additional equipment and some patience, as we know that even we adults sometimes have difficult and frustration with the game. For maximum exercise potential, walk and carry your clubs instead of riding a cart, if it’s allowed. If playing a full nine or eighteen holes is too much for you or your kids, going out to a driving range is a great alternative - you’ll teach your kids some hand/eye coordination, and you might also be able to take out some of your aggressions on the little white ball, as well.
5. Canoeing/Kayaking - This activity is great for promoting upper-body strength. Check with your local park district or state park 
6. Running - Definitely will get your heart rate up, and can be done with minimal prep or equipment. My older daughter and I are starting to run together - she’s much faster than I am, but it’s good encouragement for me to increase my speed. We’ll usually run the first mile together, then she takes off and runs ahead. Hopefully one of these days I’ll be able to keep up with her…
7. Disc Golf - I’d call it Frisbee Golf, but I’d be concern about copyright infringement. More and more parks are installing disc golf courses, and it’s a great way to get out and get some fresh air. Basically, the rules are similar to golf, but instead of a club and ball, you’re throwing a disc at a basket like the one pictured above. To find out if there is a course close to you, head to the discgolf.com website.
8. Biking - If your kids are older than six or seven, you can probably get out and bike fairly easily. The rides don’t have to be long distance or fast - just getting out together and getting some exercise is a great start, and biking certainly helps you do that.
9. Rollerskating/rollerblading - we went out to the local rink yesterday evening and had a blast! Yes, we were inside, but it’s still physical activity. If you have a pair of inline skates, you can also take it outside - just make sure that your kids (and you) have adequate coverage for wrists, elbows, and knees, and a bicycle helmet wouldn’t be a bad idea, either.
10. Ultimate - also known as Ultimate Frisbee or Ultimate Disc, this game combines the non-stop movement and athletic endurance of soccer with the aerial passing skills of football. I played this when I first moved to the Chicago area, and it was a workout, that’s for sure. Since I played, it’s gotten a lot more organized, including having its own association and website. It’s usually played with teams of seven, but you could modify the game to work with the number of kids that are available.

This is a pretty good list, but I know it’s not comprehensive - what are some other activities that you can do with your kids to get moving and get some exercise?