How to Get Your Kids Off the Couch This Summer

Spring Break has come and gone, and kids across the country have started the countdown to summer vacation. The question is, what are your kids going to do with their vacation? More importantly, what are you going to do to get your kids off the couch this summer?

If your children are naturally enthusiastic about getting off the couch and out the door, you shouldn't have any trouble convincing them to do something other than play video games and veg in front of the TV this summer. If you've been letting them do exactly that all year because they already put in a full day at school (and they deserve a break) you could have a fight on your hands!

Since sitting around all summer isn't healthy for either their physical or emotional health, what are you going to do to get them up and get them moving over their summer vacation? Here are a few suggestions from parents like you:

Take them swimming. Swimming is a great way to get a full body workout. More importantly, it's fun! Most kids are more than willing to suit up and spend a couple of hours splishing and splashing in the swimming pool. They'll love getting to hit the water, you'll love letting them burn energy, build muscle and stay fit instead of camping on the couch all day.

Sign them up for summer camp. Too much time spent sitting around the house all but begs for unhealthy snacking habits and a lack of exercise. Signing them up for summer programs and day camps will keep them busy during the day and keep them on a healthy lifestyle path over their vacation.

Hit the playground at least once a day. Kids love to crawl, climb and run on the playground during the summer, especially if they've got friends to play with. Set aside at least an hour a day to take them out and let them go.

Walk, don't ride. When the weather's nice there's no reason to spend hours sitting around in a car. Take advantage of the nice weather to walk rather than drive when you go out to run your errands. Grab a wagon if you think you're going to need room for more "stuff" than you can carry.

Go bicycle riding. Biking is a great way to get around in the summer, and kids love the opportunity to fly free on their own two wheels. Buy them a bike and teach them to ride it. They'll love it, you'll love the amount of time they spend outside burning energy, building muscle and staying fit.

Now all you have to do is remember the sunscreen...

Jessica Sparks is a public relations representative working with the team at Snikiddy.com. Snikiddy was created by co-founders Janet Owings and Mary Owings-Schulman to give kids the healthy snacking choices they deserve. To learn more about Snikiddy, keeping kids healthy and active and how to teach your kids healthy eating habits, visit them on the web at http://www.Snikiddy.com.

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