Check booneweather.com for the most up to date weather information in the High Country.


Kids Fitness
by Catherine Scantlin

Latest Update: December 22, 2011


Getting kids excited and engaged in fitness should be easy. They have twice (if not more) energy than us adults even without the help of caffeine! So why is it that we are often struggling to get our kids off the couch? Here are some ideas for getting kids active.

  • Make sure they see you being active

    • We are the best models of any kind of behavior we hope to see in our kids.
    Let your kids hear you making appointments with workout buddies.
    Help them understand why it is important to you to make fitness a priority in your life.
    Ask them to come cheer for you in a road race.

  • Involve them in your fitness whenever possible

    • Walk the family dog as a family.
    Take them on hikes – bring a backpack or stroller for little ones, but encourage them to walk as much and as often as possible.
    Ride your bikes together on the greenway (remember to wear your helmet too!)
    Go skiing together and make a goal of not getting back on the chairlift until you all sweat a little.

  • Personalize activities

    • Not every child is interested in team sports and that’s OK! Think of creative ways to engage your children in activity around their interests.
    Go on nature hikes to excite a child interested in science.
    Look for interesting found objects on the Greenway for art projects.
    Walk to the library.
    Garden with your child, then plan and cook a healthy meal together

  • Celebrate with activity


    • Give the gift of fitness – consider a pass to a pool, rock wall, or ski slope, or classes for dance, yoga, swimming or gear used in an activity like a bike, a Frisbee, soccer ball.
    Center birthday parties or family get-togethers around an energetic activity – laser tag, paint ball, roller skating, skiing, swimming, scavenger hunts.
    Remember to make it fun
    Keep your expectations in check – kids don’t have to be perfect at an activity or engage in it as long as your body and attention span might.

    Alter the activity to fit kids and their interests – not yours!