Lisa Pawlak
Kids in Motion
9 ways to keep kids active this summer If you’re concerned your kids will
spend the summer lounging on the couch, playing Fortnite and watching YouTube videos, take charge and get ahead of the situation. Too much idle screen time negatively affects everything from obesity risk to healthy brain development. In order to improve the physical and mental health of your children this summer, take time to put electronic devices away and get moving. Here’s how to encourage exercise over electronics:
Keep it fun. Let’s be honest — most people don’t think of exercising as a particularly good time. But what about chasing bubbles, splashing in the pool, participating in a team sport or going on a sunset hike? Many kids enjoy fun, outdoor activities and they probably won’t even realize they’re exercising! Read more about this topic in Fun Over Fitness: Focus on Family Playtime at www.sandiegofamily.com/healthguide/fun-over-fitness-focus-onfamily-playtime
Make it social. Who doesn’t want
to hang out with friends? Invite other kids to join your kids for an active play session. Head to the beach with boogie boards or a Smashball set, or go to the park with a Frisbee, jump ropes, and a soccer ball. If you prefer being indoors, consider a rock climbing gym, indoor trampoline park or skating rink.
Walk, ride or roll. Get out and
explore the neighborhood via foot or on wheels. Summer is the perfect time for the whole family to walk, skateboard, scooter and bike all over town. Ditch the minivan and implement exercise as an integral part of your summer transportation. This way, even when you’re heading to a sedentary activity like the library or movies, you can still incorporate exercise into the day’s plan. Love to skateboard? Get a list of countywide skateparks at www.sandiegofamily.com/teen/ skateparks-in-san-diego-county.
Give active gifts. Kids love new stuff (who doesn’t?) and summer is
a great time to treat them to a new football, jump rope, hula-hoop or roller skates. Your child likely has plenty of time to enjoy new sports equipment now — along with the associated health benefits that these gifts bring (when used!). You’ll enjoy how well he sleeps at night after getting enough exercise. Find new outdoor toys on p. 24 and our complete summer review at www.sandiegofamily.com/for-thekids/kid-tested-toy-product-review.
Register for summer camp.
Even if you have to work all summer, you can still arrange for your kids to be active, social and having fun. With so many great summer camp options to choose from these days, there’s a camp for whatever activities kids enjoy — parkour, dancing, surfing, tennis, basketball, swimming, circus arts, gymnastics, fencing, trampoline and more. Check out San Diego’s best Summer Camp Guide at www.sandiegofamily.com/resources/ summer-camps-and-programs. cont. on p. 22
20 • SanDiegofamily.com • July 2019