Remember the 80s when “Let’s Get Physical” topped the charts and bodies were buff, oiled, and super tone? Yeah…thank goodness those times are over. And even when Heidi Montag tried to bring back the look Olivia Newton-John used to rock in her latest video, your kids would rather head to the hills than break a sweat. And come to think of it, you would, too. So how do we up the ante and create enthusiasm about fitness? First the scare tactic: You don’t want your child to develop type 2 diabetes. Active kids will be stronger and leaner, resulting in less body fat and lessen the likelihood they will become overweight. It’s a health issue, not a cosmetic one. 

So what do we do to get the little ones to start sweatin’ with us oldies? (Comparatively speaking of course.)

Up The Playground Antics Get thee to a playground and monkey around! Monkey bars are great for building strength and tag with the other kids is cardio without seeing your 9-year-old on a treadmill. That would seem weird, yet they do make them.

Show Off Pedal Power Whether you live in the suburbs or the city, bicycling (with a helmet) is a great activity to do together. Pedal over to the playground or go for a ride to the bike trail. You can even skip the car and go green, substituting biking for other modes of transportation.

Enlist The Electric Company Are your kids way too hooked on video games? Or maybe it’s raining and you can’t enjoy the great outdoors. Nintendo’s Wii has sports and fitness games. The LA Times quoted a study that showed “compared with resting, children playing a seated video game burned 39% more calories per minute. Those playing an active game, such as bowling, burned 98% more calories. Finally, those playing a game that involved running or action…burned 451% more calories per minute.” Good to know!

Goof Off So your kids are too young to do sporty things like the big kids do. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t start the action early. Shows like “Yo Gabba Gabba” are interactive and encourage little ones to get up and dance. You can also get silly on your own—teach as you stretch like a cat, gallop like a horse, or hop like a frog.

Spice Up The Sports If your child isn’t into organized sports with your town’s league, that doesn’t necessarily mean he/she doesn’t enjoy getting in the game. Put together a game of catch with the family or your child’s best friends. Organize a jump rope contest or relay race. Seek out a yoga class or climbing wall facility. The more you expose your kids to alternative activities, the more likely they are to find something they really enjoy.

Clean Up To Cut Calories This may be our favorite one since it helps us around the house. Why not make chore time a challenge? You can take on your child (or have your kids “battle” each other) with snow shoveling, window cleaning, or floor mopping. Hey…anything to get them to be active, right?

Show That Actions Speak Louder Scheduled activity is the key here. You can turn almost anything into something fun, and the earlier you start the better. Put an activity in your daily schedule. It could be anything from a walk around the block after dinner or a jaunt at the park after school—setting time aside for your child’s health is not only good for them, but you as well.