How to Keep the Kids Active After School

The school holidays are over and the Australian Open has come to a close. Around this time of the year, parents across the country start to worry about their kids falling into an unhealthy routine. With no tennis to keep the family occupied, are your little ones coming home from school and slumping in front of the TV or computer with some unhealthy snacks?

At this crucial stage in their life, it’s important they understand the benefits of staying fit and healthy. Regular exercise helps them build confidence, develop better social skills, sleep better, control weight and more. 

We brought you fitness tips from the experts, but now we’re taking a look at how you can improve your child’s health by keeping them active in the evenings. 

Find an activity that they love

Every child is unique and talented in their own way. The problem is that some just haven’t found what they’re good at, which can knock their confidence and cause them to give up. Cue: hours of hunching in front of video games.

When your child has fun during physical exercise, they’ll want to do it more. They’ll hardly even notice they’re exercising. Some popular activities that develop their physical skills, motor skills, agility and other key areas include:

  • Basketball. Basketball gets your children off the couch, develops their endurance and coordination, and keeps them moving. Best of all - they’ll be so proud of themselves when they learn how to nail tricky shots and learn proper ball control. You could enrol them into an after-school sports club, or start by installing a basketball hoop at home and getting out into the yard with them.
  • Go on a bike adventure. A family bike ride around your local park is the perfect way to blow away the cobwebs after a long day at school. Regular cycling increases cardiovascular fitness, as well as strength and flexibility. It’s also a great way to reduce stress and get a healthy dose of Vitamin D from the sun. Just be sure to wear sunscreen!
  • Have some fun on the trampoline. There’s no need to leave the home to get active. A trampoline is a fun way for kids to fit in a workout, helping to improve their cardiovascular fitness and develop better core strength.

    • Explain the importance of exercise for the mind & body

    It’s easy for kids to head straight to their laptop after school, but too much screen time could be damaging their mental health and eyesight. If they’ve had a tough day at school, feel inferior to their peers in a particular sport, or lack motivation, getting them out into the fresh air can feel like a battle.

    Ensure they understand the link between staying active and keeping a healthy mind. Physically active kids tend to be more motivated and productive during lessons, and often carry these values into adulthood. 

    For more tips on age-appropriate ways to motivate kids to be more active, see this article from Kids Health.

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