According to the CDC, childhood obesity has nearly doubled in the past 30 years. With school now out for the summer, your kids are going to be spending a lot more time at home. It’s important to remember that they need to stay active during their summer vacation, and not spend all their time inside in front of the television or their computer. It is recommended that children have 60 minutes or more of physical activity daily.
Here are a few ideas of how to keep them active all summer long.
Team Sports
Whether it’s Football, Soccer, Basketball, or another team sport, this is a great way to keep your kids active this summer. Also, team sports encourage kids to work together and teach them discipline and patience. If your child is not the athletic type, consider a camp to help them build some self confidence. At OCSC we have Summer Soccer Camps where kids can learn the fundamentals and skills they need to excel at this fun team sport. Camps are available Monday-Friday from June 29 to August 7 with time slots varying by age. Click here to learn how your child can try one of our 2 hour sessions for free!
Go Swimming
Not many things are better than cooling off in the pool on a warm, summer day! Swimming is a great full-body work out and is a lot of fun. Whether it’s in your swimming pool, a local community pool, or in a lake, this is one way you’re sure to get your kids active.
Take a Hike
There are plenty of places in Orange County to go for a hike. Encourage your kids to explore, or take a family trip and make a day out of it. Many of the parks in Orange County have hiking trails, so take advantage of them! Here is a link to many of the hiking options in Orange County:
http://www.orangecountygov.com/content/124/9893/9979/15609.aspx
Limit TV/Video Game/Computer Time
Limit their TV, Computer & Video Game time. This will force them to get creative in order to stay busy. If they’re not inside in front of the TV, most likely they’ll be outside doing something active. Some alternatives to keep your kids active are:
- Jumping rope
- Put on your favorite CD and dance together
- Head outside and shoot some hoops
- Throwing a football
- Playing tag
- Riding a bike
- Explore the backyard. Put together a scavenger hunt and let them spend some time outdoors
Be Active Together
Set a good example for your kids. If they see you staying active, they will follow suit. Go on a bike ride or a hike as a family. It’s also a good way to make sure you’re staying active as well. According to the CDC, adults should spend at least 75 – 150 minutes doing some sort of aerobic activity. That is about 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. What are you doing to show your kids the importance of physical activity?
Take a Class
At OCSC, we offer many classes for kids including martial arts, gymnastics, dance, fencing, and our new expanded trampoline program . Sign your kids up today to keep them active in a sport they love or to try something new.
OCSC wants to keep your family active! We hope these tips help to inspire you to get your kids active and moving this summer. Not sure what kind of activity to try? Our All Access Pass is great not just for your kids but for you as well. The pass gives each kiddo in your family access to a class and you get to try 3 days worth of group fitness class and as much gym time as you can handle. For more information, click here.
#SummerVacation #StayActive
