Exercise and Kids: Why Kids Need to Get Moving 

Kids are little balls of energy, so it may seem a little redundant to try and make them actually get more activity into their day. However, many people just assume that children are active all day long, and that is simply not the case for school-aged children. After all, kids spend a good portion of their day cooped up inside at a desk, staring at a tablet, computer, or TV screen. They surely don't get to burn off as much energy as you think they might. So, as a parent, it's vital for you to encourage your kid to get up and get active. 

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How can you do that? Well, there are a plethora of ways, but a great way to start is to get them to unplug from their screens for a bit. One great way to do that is to spend time doing an activity you both enjoy together. If you both love basketball, shoot some hoops together for an hour or so! Do you love to do yoga? Hit the mat with your little one and get to posing! Do you enjoy walking your dog? Do it with your mini-me in tow, and you're sure to get your kid unplugged and active without much of a struggle. 

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Teaching your kids fundamental exercises, like jumping jacks and squats, is also a really amazing way to set them up for a lifetime of successful movement. You can always make it a competition to see how many of one exercise they can complete, or make it fun by making each exercise like a relay event. Use your creativity and squeeze in some of the essentials, and your child will thank you in the future for the knowledge of exercise you shared with them. 

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And if you want to outfox your child and get them moving without unplugging them, you can do that, too. There are thousands upon thousands of child-friendly fitness videos on YouTube, you just have to find the right ones for your kid. Below are a few of our favorites, so you can get your child's heart pumping without them even knowing that they are actually exercising. 

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