August is Family Fun Month. It’s the last month before kids go back to school and families all over the country fall back into their normal routines. Most families choose August as the month to take their family vacation. Whether you’re hitting the road, or staying at home, there are several things you can do as a family to keep everyone healthy. Set a good example and put your kids on the path to staying active by implmenting a few of these activities into your family fun time.
1. Make Smoothies. Instead of hitting the ice cream stand, treat your kids (and yourself) to a fabulous smoothie, packed with yogurt and your favorite fruits. For a kicked-up option add some peanut butter and/or coco powder in for a sweet, healthy treat.
2. Post-meal Walks. Walks are great for the body and the mind. Walks after meals are especially important if you are on vacation and eating out a lot (more calories). But putting your children in the midset of moving after meals is great anytime of the year. Plus they’re a great chance to talk with your kids. For smaller kids, bring a stroller incase they tucker out.
3. Household Chore Games. In honor of the Olympics make your household chores into a game. Give the kids “medals” made of yogurt tops (see: The Office Olympic episode), and give them out for categories like “best cleaned room,” “best organization,” etc.
4. Go to the Playground. While a lot of parents like to sit on the bench and talk with one another while their kids play, we suggest you play with your kids, as much as possible. No need to get stuck on a slide, but running and playing with your kids is a great way to bond, and keep in shape.
5. Rainy Day Fun. If you’re on vacation, or at home, and facing a rainy day, find things you can go and do to keep the kids active indoors. If the Cleaning Olympics have wrapped, take the kids bowling. Or find an indoor pool and enjoy a dip!
6. Bike Rides. Some of my favorite memories with my family as a kid was our family bike rides. A few times a week, skip the post-meal walk and replace it with a bike ride. Or, use that time to teach your child to learn how to ride a bike. Training wheels are fine until your little one feels comfortable on his/her own.
7. Cook Together. Rather than eating out often on your vacation, try to cook a meal and stay in more often. Kids that are brought up to understand their food are less likely to be picky eaters. And you’ll save a bundle on restaurants while eating healthier.
8. Summer Recess. Kids get unstructured time in school, so why not have that in the summer as well? Give your kids 30-60 minutes of recess time. Make it a time for them to go outside and do their favorite activities.
9. Mini Golf. Mini golf is a fun treat for the whole family, and it comes with significant health benefits. According to NutriStrategy, an average adult can burn more than 200 calories playing mini golf. In the summer it’s best to mini golf in the early afternoon to avoid larger crowds at night.
10. Beach Day. Walking on the beach and spending time with your family all day at the ocean is one of the most popular family activities in the country. Millions of people do it each year. If you can’t afford a beach vacation, opt for a play day at a local state park. Make sure to apply lots of sunscreen and stay hydrated when spending long hours outside.
11. Make Homemade Ice Pops. Popsicles are a welcome summer treat. They’re a great way to beat the heat, however the store-brand options are nothing more than sugar water. Make your own at home where you can add real fruit, fruit juice and control the amount of sugar.
12. Water Balloon Fights. This kid-staple is fun for the whole family. And today you can find lots of water balloon options that offer little impact on your cleanup. You’ll burn lots of calories and have lots of laughs!
13. Go Camping. Family camping trips are a great way to get your kids in touch with nature. They’re also the perfect opportunity to go on a hike, and teach your kids about hard work. To keep it simple for younger kids, start with camping in the backyard before taking them to a park.
14. Go to a Zoo or Nature Center. Kids can learn about animals and the entire family can get on their feet and move. Typically you can walk several miles at a larger zoo or nature center.
Those are some of our ideas for having healthy fun with your family! Do you have your own? Share them by commenting here or on our Facebook page!
