While there is a lot of excitement about summer being just around the corner, the amount of free time may have parents wondering about potential healthy summer activities that their families can partake in this season. For many, summer seems like the perfect time to get outdoors, exercise, and be active, but for our next generation, this doesn’t appear to be the case. According to a survey conducted by the National Trust, the children of today spend half as much time outdoors as their parents did. This lack of time spent outdoors may lead to health and social functioning implications, so while it’s okay to have some lazy summer days, there’s never been a better time to get your child excited about some healthy summer activities. Read on to learn about some of the activities we recommend:
Get the games out of the garage
Healthy summer activities don’t have to be expensive. Use some of this last bit of the spring season to spring clean your garage and get all of the outdoor games ready to go. Sidewalk chalk, basketballs, soccer balls, and jump ropes are all great go-tos when it’s time to get up off the couch and play outside this summer.
Spend time at the pool
A day at the pool is a perfect way to get your kids excited about going outside (just don’t forget the SPF!) Whether they’re playing, swimming, or wading, there are numerous health benefits associated with aquatics. It has been reported that both kids and adults tend to be physically active longer while swimming than with other forms of exercise. As an added bonus, all of that activity and time spent in the sun is sure to tire your kids out and help out with bedtime.
Go to the park
Summer is the perfect time to explore your local park. Whether you’re going on a stroll, visiting the playground, or getting a family sports game together, the possibilities are endless for healthy summer activities.
Start a garden
Many people don’t realize that physical activity is not limited to classic exercise techniques like running, biking, and swimming. A relatively stationary activity, like gardening, is a sneaky way to get active, spend time outdoors, and learn horticultural information. Starting a garden is also a great way to get your kids excited about vegetables, and can serve as a fun, summer-long project.
Create a scavenger hunt
Get creative on a summer day and create a scavenger hunt for the kids! While putting clues together may take a little work in the beginning, it can lead to hours of entertainment for its participants. Scavenger hunts are great for kids to get up and moving, as well as use their critical thinking skills.
Host a field day
Many of our favorite outdoor games don’t require expensive equipment. Help your kids throw their own field day, complete with races, obstacle courses, games, and more. Having various options for kids to play helps keep kids entertained and enjoying the outdoors for hours.
Go to the farmer’s market
The spring and summer seasons are when farmer’s markets have the freshest produce to offer, so get the family together and head to your local farmer’s market! Typically including crafts, games, or music, this outing is far more fun than a trip to the grocery store.
Cook together
At the end of a long day, cooking together is a great way to stay connected, and is especially fun after harvesting the vegetables from your garden or going through what you picked up at the farmer’s market earlier that day. Not only can your child begin to learn new skills, but they can also learn more about the healthy ingredients you use.
Go on a family bike ride
Whether in the park, on a bike path, or around the neighborhood, a family bike ride allows for movement and quality time spent together. Re-inflating bike tires and readjusting seat heights may seem like a lot of work in the beginning, but taking time to take care of these tasks early on in the summer makes spontaneous bike rides one of the best go-to healthy summer activities.
Create a backyard water park
If a pool or beach isn’t easily accessible to you, at-home water parks can be just as fun. Sprinklers, slip-n-slides, and other water activities are all examples of healthy summer activities that are entertaining and a perfect way to cool off on a hot summer day.
While these healthy summer activities are some of our favorites, there are endless ways to get your kids outside and enjoy their summers! Need help getting your child to disconnect from the device? Wake Forest Pediatrics is here to help and provide you with resources to work through it. Check out our website or give us a call for more information.
