Most parents today are worried about how much time their children are spending on devices and staring at screens. You might think back to the summers of your childhood when you were always out playing in the garden or the streets with your friends. Most of us remember spending hours and hours outdoors, only coming in when our parents called us inside for meals, and even then, we weren’t happy about it.
Today, we’re fighting what often seems like a losing battle with the temptation of Xboxes and Youtube. Our kids no longer see the excitement or the great outdoors, when there’s so much for them to do in their rooms.
It’s no wonder childhood obesity is becoming such a growing problem. Of course, diet is essential. Giving your kids a healthy and balanced diet will help them to stay fit and healthy, but exercise is equally important. With that in mind, here’s a look at some simple backyard activities which could keep them fit and healthy, and maybe even happy, this summer.
Cornhole
Cornhole or bean bag toss is a super simple, traditional game, that at first, your kids might find old-fashioned. But, its simplicity is often what makes it great. click here for all of the supplies that you need to play (bags and a board) and then give it a go. The most significant advantage of Cornhole is that even very young children can get stuck in, and it’s easy to make it more challenging by merely moving a little further away.
Tether Tennis
Tether tennis is an excellent investment if your child spends a lot of time playing outdoors on their own. You’ll be able to play with them or even have big tournaments, but they can also practice on their own. It’s fun, great exercise and a brilliant way to burn off stress. This can be ideal for children who often struggle to find an outlet.
Soccer
Soccer is something else that’s easy to play alone, in pairs or in teams, and that can be practiced in a small garden. As children, many of us lost hours kicking a ball up a wall or practicing our kick-ups, and now our children could do the same.
Roller Skating
If you’ve got a small garden, roller skating or skateboarding might not be an option. But, if you’ve got a large decking or patio, then a pair of roller skates can lead to hours of fun.
Gardening
Gardening is a great way to spend time together as a family, and it often burns more calories than you might think. Plant some seeds together, get messy digging the earth, and work up a sweat pruning and mowing.
Obstacle Courses
Creating an obstacle course in your garden is a fantastic way to burn some calories, work your muscles and have some fun. Use things that you’ve got around the house to create ramps, small jumps, tunnels and things to run around. Add a jump rope for a small section, or hoops to jump in. The more space you’ve got, the more adventurous you can be, but even in a small garden you can create a fun course.
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