Staying healthy should be child’s play

With research telling us only one in 30 children are as active as they should be,

asks the experts how to encourage families to move more competition,” says Charlie Launder, founder of Bumps & Burpees and fitness expert at The Baby Show.

She recommends starting a race to see who can be the first child to put all their toys away.

“Make it seem like a treasure hunt around the house and offer a prize to the first person who finds and tidies up their toys,” she says.

“Or why not give them a duster and see who can be first to sweep a shelf?” AN adventure playground is the ideal place for children to get active physically and mentally.

“These are fantastic places to explore,” says Melissa Hood, founder of The Parent Practice. Turning housework into fun is another simple way to get your brood working those muscles – but perhaps not this young! “Kids can dig in the dirt and build dams or they can sail a pirate ship over the waves.” Playgrounds allow children to take risks and use their imagination to play in a safe environment that is not directed by adults. “Taking risks is great for building independence and developing problemsolving skills. Kids can challenge themselves and grow in confidence,” says Melissa. The physical benefits LEAVE your car at home and walk all or part of the way to school one morning.

“The more you can do to make things fun while walking, the better,” says Melissa. “Have various stopping points along the way, for example, trees, lamp posts or benches. Let the kids race on ahead to the next stopping point.

“Tell them to wait there until you catch up, then give them a ‘magic tap’ on the head that allows them to go on.”

Walking to school is a great opportunity to chat too, which you may have become a bit unfamiliar with if your kids are usually staring at a screen. “Talk about what you see on the way – trees, squirrels, even rain,”

says Melissa. psychologist Emma Kenny.

If parents play physical games, sport or just enjoy walking about in nature, then their children will too.

“Bike riding is a great family fitness activity that doesn’t feel like exercise. Pack a picnic and go out for a couple of hours at the weekend,” suggests Emma.

“Sign up for charity walks or fun runs. Or if you’re at home, crank up the music, get the family together and dance. This makes movement fun.” WHEN it comes to games, some of the oldies are definitely still the best.

“Tug of war, egg and spoon races, sack races – these traditional games are brilliant for boosting activity,” says Nicola Addison, personal trainer at Healthspan.

Nicola recommends drawing a hopscotch grid on the pavement or taking a skipping rope to the park.

If it’s raining, hide and seek against the clock is a fun way to get moving around the house. GETTING children to be responsible for pets is a great way to boost activity without them realising.

“If you have a family dog, incorporate a daily walk into your child’s routine,” says David Wiener, training specialist at Freeletics

You could also give a little extra pocket money for walking the dog.

This will reward your child for being active and instil a sense of responsibility.

“You don’t have to have a dog to get your kids active,” says David.

“Encouraging them to play or help look after any pet, be it a cat, a hamster or even a fish, can help them be active.”