3 Easy Ways to Keep Your Kids Active

The battle with technology is never ending when it comes to children as these days it is a constant struggle to keep them off the PlayStation or Wii and get them outside in the fresh air. So it is vital that you take steps to keep them active throughout the year to make sure they do not become unfit and overweight; recent studies have shown that, as of 2013, almost a third of 10-11 year olds in the UK are classed as overweight.

This is a scenario no one wants for their child as the health problems could be extremely serious. Try some of these ideas and make the changes for a healthy and active life for your little ones.


No Matter Rain or Shine
One huge aspect that keeps us indoors is the weather. It can be a nightmare when you have a great day out planned and then you wake up in the morning to find that the heavens have opened and wellies are the only form of footwear that you could even consider wearing. However, just because it is cold or raining it does not mean that you have to stay cooped up in doors watching the television.

There are a number of indoor play centres which are ideal for a day when you cannot go to the nearby park. The admission can be as little as £1.50 a child and they will happily run around for hours which will also mean some very tired children at the end, meaning even more time for you to relax. As you have to pay, you may only want to do this on occasion as a special treat but there are many activities that you can do that are free.

Find Local Activities
Keep an eye out in your local newspaper for events and clubs that are happening which can help to keep children active including dance classes, play groups for the younger ones and sports days held in the local community. As recession has hit over the last five years, more and more people are opting for affordable activities in the community over expensive days out to things like theme parks, so the level of choice of offer is usually pretty good. This is also a way for you and the rest of your family to meet people and is great if you are new to an area.

There are also bound to be a number of outdoor play areas which you can visit. Try to mix this up and go to a different one as often as possible so that there is variety for the children. Taking a picnic and making a day of it could also allow for quality time spent as a family.An outdoor play centre will also provide them with hours of fun even up to their teens as swings, climbing frames and slides will keep them entertained and active.


Home Sweet Home
Especially if you have young children, it is a good idea to have a garden which allows them to play outdoors but within the safety of their own home. Create a grass area which is ideal for them to kick balls around and expand their imagination with make believe worlds. Don’t forget to have an area for the adults of the home, so perhaps have a decked section that can be used to dine al fresco. This could also be used to home a sandpit if you do not want a large amount of sand landing on your lawn. Decking is relatively straightforward, and you can guarantee good quality by using specialist retailers such as Millboard; you can lay it yourself in no time at all.

No matter how old or young your children are, the key is to make sure they have variety and are always engaged with an activity. Half of the time they will not even consider that they are taking part in exercise because they are having so much fun!

This post was written by Amy Bennett on half of Millboard, the decking specialist that delivers to your door.