{Sponsored Post for Micro Scooters}
As a child growing up in Canada, I remember there was one rule when I went out to play with my friends during the summer months “be home by dinner.” So from sun up to sun down, my friends and I rode our bikes, jumped on trampolines, played in the woods, created dance competitions, built tree houses, jumped in the sprinkler and ate copious amounts of popsicles /ice blocks. Life was good. Really good.
Fast forward to 2016 and I’ve got 2 words for you… childhood obesity. Our children are living a more sedentary lifestyle, connecting less with nature, struggling with physical/mental health problems and having difficulties making and maintaining friendships. Not only is this impacting on our children now, but will also impact them later in life.
I’m a huge believer that you can’t change the past, but you can change the future and with the new year about to begin, there is no better time than today to start helping your children to be more active.
Benefits of Being Active Everyday
Children of all ages can benefit significantly from being active every day. Physical activity may keep children fit and healthy, but there are other added benefits such as social, emotional and intellectual development that are equally as important.
Active Every Day website provides a great over view of these specific benefits:
- Health benefits
- Improved muscle & bone growth
- Improved coordination and movement skills
- Improved sleeping patterns
- Reduced risk of weight gain
- Reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes/cardiovascular disease
- Emotional and cognitive benefits
- Improved self-esteem
- Increased confidence and happiness
- Improved concentration and management of anxiety and stress
- Increased motivation and organisational skills
- Improved learning outcomes
- Social benefits
- Improved cooperation, teamwork and leadership skills
- Assists children to develop friendships
- Reduces anti-social behaviour, including aggressive and disruptive actions
5 Ways to Get Your Kids Active
With the Australian Physical Activity Guidelines recommending children aged 5-12 years have a combination of moderate and vigorous activities for at least 60 minutes every day it’s imperative we provide our kids with fun ways they can be active. Here are my top 5 ways to get your kids active every single day.
- Play follow the leader – have yourself or your partner be the leader and take your children on a magical adventure of follow the leader. March around the house by going up and down the stairs, explore the neighborhood by running/skipping up the street and in no time you’ll have both your children’s and your own heart rate up and skipping a happy beat. Just remember to keep moving.
- Create an obstacle course – kids love obstacle courses; especially because you can set an obstacle course up indoors or outdoors so you’re guaranteed to get your daily exercise. Include a variety of tasks in your obstacle course such as but not limited to: skipping rope for 30 seconds, having a relay race with other family members, jumping on one leg 20 times, bouncing the ball, doing 5 star jumps etc the options are endless.
- Go on a scavenger hunt – walking around the neighborhood is another awesome way to get your kids active. By going on a scavenger hunt vs saying you’re just going for a walk will keep your kids excited, engaged and eager to get outside. Your scavenger hunt doesn’t have to be difficult, just grab a piece of paper and together write down 5 things everyone needs to find while out on their walk or feel free to grab our free scavenger hunt printable at the bottom of the page.
- Dance off – music makes people happy so no better way then to combine music and exercise to get your daily exercise. Grab the Ipad, your phone, stereo etc and pop on the music. Have fun, dance, shake every bone in your body, laugh, but just keep moving. You’ll be amazed at how such an easy idea can bring families together while at the same time being active.
- Scootering – grab your Micro Scooter and hit the pavement (don’t forget the helmet). Scootering provides an opportunity for kids to be free, to see the world from a different view point, to create childhood memories and be active all at the same time. So what are you waiting for, grab your scooter and start your adventure.
Best Place to Use Your Micro Scooter
My family and I are lucky enough to live in Brisbane Australia where we see sunshine 365 days a year. Since receiving our Micro Scooter we’ve been on a mission to find the best place to scoot.
Even though there are many places to scooter around Brisbane, we’ve decided collectively as a family that the best place to scooter in Brisbane is at South Bank. A beautiful part of Brisbane that is filled with luscious lawns/gardens for a family picnic, an amazing path along the river to scooter, a Ferris wheel to look at views and a man made beach to take a dip in after your scooter ride along the river. There truly is something for everyone at South Bank.
Get Out and Get Active
From one parent to another, I get that life is busy. Really busy. I’m not asking you to do more, but rather what I am asking you to do is swap the couch time, to outside time. Investing in your child’s health today, will only help create a healthy lifestyle for the future.
What does your family do to stay active?
Share your ideas so we can all learn from one another.
Love to all,
Angela xx from Finlee and Me
Angela is an author, entrepreneur, blogger, mental health clinician and most importantly a mother. She explores various topics related to parenting/children on her blog and also in her three books: 30 Days, 30 Ways for Mothers to Take Care of Themselves, 30 Days, 30 Ways for Connecting with Your Child and Healthy Snack Ideas for Kids. Connect with her on Facebook, Instagram and her website Finlee and Me.
