May is National Fitness Month; add in some new ways to get your sweat on this summer.
It’s the time of year you want to shed that winter coat and dive into a clear pool with the ease of a seal. There is no better time to get active than when things heat up, so use that vital solar energy to your advantage and get the whole family crew in on it.
Here are some great ideas for outside activities that are so fun you won’t notice you are getting a workout until you fall into bed that night. Plan some high-energy excursions into your day trips and vacations so that it’s not all barbeque and ice cream.
- Family vs. Family Water Polo! While you are in the pool, why not get everyone in on a little friendly family competition? Shorter kids get the shallow end and you can get a simple net at the outdoor store, or fashion one out of a strip of mesh and some plastic C clamps. Beach balls work better for younger kids.
- Day Hike to a Zip Line. Yes, you can do this! Pack a lunch and some sunscreen and get the full experience: the euphoric triumph of topping a mountain and the wild rush of zipping back down!
- Fruit Harvest. The whole family can get in on this annual tradition at a local farm. Learn how to make apple cider or farm blueberries; it’s hard work but really fun and the next day, you’ll all feel that good kind of sore.
- Water Ski. Getting on the skids for a week will give you an excellent whole body work out and improve your tan at the same time. The younger kids can ride in the boat and watch you cruising along.
- Go to a Kid-friendly Music Festival. The great thing about living in the modern era is that there are plenty of musicians out there who write and perform great music for both kids and grown-ups. There is nothing like seeing real music on a live stage and remember: dancing counts as exercise!
- Driveway Aerobics. If you have a big family, move the music player outside, turn up the volume, and do a little group workout. Everyone can take turns leading, and when the kids get up in front, the moves they come up with will crack you up.
- Weekly Family Bike Ride to a Destination. And not the burger joint! Everyone can ride if you give it a little forethought and the time outside together is relaxing and easy if you get a routine down.
- Charity Run. If running is your thing, you can put your fitness goals together with family time and a good cause. Start with something reasonable, and if you have little ones, invest in a good jogging stroller; it will help you train!
- Weekly Sport Challenge. Team up with some neighbors or keep it small if there are at least four of you. You could pick a different sport every week and meet at a park, and you can have a healthy picnic afterwards.
Remember, we set our kids up to be active if we show them that it is fun, so keep up a sense of adventure and don’t make too much out of performance when you can celebrate progress. Your kids will love you for it when they are adults.
