With technology dominating so much of our daily lives, physical activity is becoming less and less common for children. This can lead to a whole host of problems, from obesity and poor health to low self-esteem and lack of confidence.

Encouraging children to burn more calories can be a real challenge, but it’s vitally important.

Make Exercise Fun

The number one way to encourage your kids to exercise is to find an activity that they enjoy. This could be a sport, dance, swimming, or any other activity that gets their heart rate up and their blood pumping.

When they’re having fun, they won’t even realize they’re burning calories!.

Set an Example

If you want your kids to be active, you need to be active too. Make exercise a part of your daily routine and your kids will see exercise as a normal and enjoyable part of life.

This doesn’t mean you have to hit the gym for hours on end each day! Even a simple walk around the block after dinner can be enough to get your heart rate up and burn some calories.

Limit Screen Time

We all know how tempting it can be to park our kids in front of the TV or tablet for a few hours while we get some things done. However, this can be incredibly damaging for their health.

Not only are they sedentary for long periods of time, but they’re also being bombarded with advertising for unhealthy foods and drinks. Limit screen time to less than two hours per day and encourage them to get up and move around during commercial breaks.

Encourage Active Play

Children are naturally active and love to run, jump, and play. Encourage them to do this as much as possible by providing plenty of opportunities for active play.

Related Article The Importance of Physical Activity in Reducing Teenage Obesity Rates

This could be as simple as playing catch in the backyard, having a dance party in the living room, or going for a family hike on the weekends.

Make Fitness a Family Affair

Getting fit can be a great family bonding activity. Sign up for a family yoga class or take a family bike ride. You’ll not only be burning calories, but you’ll also be spending quality time together.

Offer Incentives

Kids love rewards, so offer them incentives for being active. Create a sticker chart where they can earn a prize for every 10 stickers earned for exercise, or offer to take them to their favorite park or playground after a run or swim session.

Get Creative in the Kitchen

Encouraging your kids to burn more calories isn’t just about exercise – it’s also about nutrition. Get creative in the kitchen and teach them about healthy eating habits.

Involve them in meal planning and prep, and show them how to make nutritious snacks like fruit smoothies and homemade trail mix.

Support Active School Programs

Many schools are cutting back on physical education programs due to budget constraints. If your child’s school doesn’t offer a lot of physical activity opportunities, support programs that do.

Sign them up for afterschool sports or take them to the local gym for a weekend class.

Be a Positive Role Model

Finally, it’s important to be a positive role model for your children. Show them that you’re committed to your own health and wellness by making exercise and healthy eating a priority in your daily life.

When they see that you’re leading by example, they’ll be more likely to follow suit.