Have you heard this quote yet from Laura Vanderkam? “You have fewer than 1000 Saturdays with each child in your care before they’re grown up”. Now that my own kids are grown, I can look back and see how valuable that time together is. Plus, when you can spend that valuable time increasing their health through exercise, connection and meaningful experiences, you are contributing to the type of human they will be in the world.
I am sure that I am not the only one who has struggled with rallying the kids around the idea of getting outdoors to do an activity! It often feels like no one can agree on an activity, or no one feels like doing anything. That being said, every single time we’ve actually made it happen, everyone always has an amazing time. There are no regrets and the kids are excited, talking about what our next family adventure will be.
GIVE THE KIDS A CHOICE
One great strategy in getting everyone involved in the decision making is to give the kid’s a say! Have everyone write down something they would love to do outdoors and put all of the suggestions into a hat and pick one.
Here are some great activities you can do as a family;
- Hiking
- Biking
- Skiing
- Sledding
- Paddleboarding
- Geocaching
- Play in a park (Frisbee, kickball, basketball, soccer, fly a kite)
- Scavenger hunt (this is a great Thanksgiving Day activity!)
There are so many great benefits, both mentally and physically to getting outside and playing as a family:
- Bonding time together – Just being together, in the moment while you’re talking, laughing and enjoying each other’s company will give everyone a great hit of dopamine and oxytocin (feel good chemicals that the body produces to elevate mood). Your kids may even share more of what they are doing at school or when they are with their friends. Young boys especially will open up while they are engaged in an activity like throwing a softball or shooting hoops.
- Exercising – Whatever activity you choose, you are moving! This will make everyone feel more confident, stronger and healthier.
- Having fun –Exercising together is good for us physically and mentally and can be lots of FUN!
- Creating Memories – This time together will stand out in your child’s mind because you are together. Laura Vanderkam talks about this in her book 168 Hours You Have More Time Than You Think. She writes that people who spend time creating memories or having experiences (like dinners together, hiking up a mountain, camping, etc) feel like they have a LOT of time. On the other hand, people who spend time on their devices, watch a lot of tv or scroll endlessly through a social media platform, say that they have very LITTLE time and experience their day as very busy.
Talk to your kids about the importance of moving daily and healthy habits and schedule your Healthy Family day soon! Do your kids see exercise as part of your daily routine? If they do, as they grow older, this may motivate them to do the same and start joining in for a workout. Whatever their personality, all kids can be physically active/fit. By being positive about exercise and creating an environment in your home and family that being active is normal, fun and healthy, you will help set up your child for a lifetime of healthy habits and moving daily.
Happy, healthy parents make happy, healthy children – Dr Miriam Stoppard
