Ways to Exercise Outdoors With Your Kids

In the past, going outdoors to play was the norm. Video ipads, games and smartphones had not been invented. A tablet was something to write in with a pencil.

While technology is great when used the correct way, it has created a generation of obese or at least overweight children. Use these 6 ways to get outside with your kids and teach them the value of exercising.

Tip! Studies have proven that mediating every day for eight weeks have shown to improve health and boost a calmer lifestyle. Mediating improves the fitness of the brain by reducing stress.

Obstacle course-- It doesn't have to be fancy. Use commonly found objects around the house that lets kids jump, run, climb and crawl. A ladder, some cement blocks and a board, a cardboard box tunnel, etc. Think outside the box and you'll have a whole course set-up in no time.

Hiking-- Disguised as a scavenger hunt, this is a classic way to get your kids out in the sun and fresh air. Hide some things along a trail for them to find. Give your kid a list of the clues on how to find each of the items. Soon they will like "hiking" and never even know they are doing it.

Geocoaching-- Almost the same as a scavenger hunt, but for kids a little older. Use the GPS technology and the clues found on geocoaching sites on the Internet to find hidden objects.

Running-- Here again, if you disguise it as something else, they will be running and not know it. Remember playing tag as a kid. You and your kids can still do that today, or how about hide-and-seek. Both games require running, but it isn't the boring kind that us adults do.

At first keep the competitiveness out of it until your kids understand the rules of playing. Badminton, basketball, tennis, dodgeball, soccer or kickball are all good sports that will keep them moving for the duration of the game.

Tip! For your first day of working out, start slowly. Make sure you start with lower weights and gradually work your way up to bigger weights.

Lawn Games-- These games require the players to switch sides after each game. Lawn darts, bean bag toss, bocce ball and an all-time favorite Blongo Ball, are easy to set-up and play, but still provide a lot of exercise.

Getting out and running around with your kids will not only do them a lot of good, but also yourself. And the sun, fresh air and exercise will have them (and you) sleeping like babies.

Use commonly found objects around the house that lets kids jump, run, crawl and climb. Hiking-- Disguised as a scavenger hunt, this is a classic way to get your kids out in the sun and fresh air. Give your kid a list of the clues on how to find each of the items. Geocoaching-- Almost the same as a scavenger hunt, but for kids a little older. At first keep the competitiveness out of it until your kids understand the rules of playing.