Kicking It With Family
With marathon video game and texting sessions becoming the norm, spending quality time outdoors as a family is more important than ever. However you choose to keep moving, being active together is the key to healthy living. Keeping in mind that exercise doesn't have to be a chore, here are 10 sports that you can pick up, together, as a family.
Swimming
You don’t need your own backyard pool to take up swimming. Visit your local YMCA, or check out neighborhood recreation centers. "Family involvement in sports is quite variable, depending on the sport and the child's skill level," says Lizzy Bullock, a swim coach in West Palm Beach, Fla. "In regard to swimming, if a child is young, hasn't learned to swim yet or is still hesitant in the water, family pool time can be extremely helpful in establishing basic skills like floating, kicking and bubble-blowing."
"Parents can also encourage older siblings to show younger ones how to perform a stroke or float," she adds.
Lacrosse
You might not know much about lacrosse, a field game that requires a stick and rubber ball, but you'll love the level of activity it provides for you and your family, so start brushing up on the basics now.
"First, contact U.S. Lacrosse to find out when the nearest free clinic is, or contact companies that are active in the community, like Adrenaline Lacrosse," says Max Poling, a lacrosse coach based in Orange County, Calif. But he also encourages just watching the game be played semi-professionally: "Then be sure to watch college NCAA games in winter and spring," Poling says.
Baseball
There's a reason baseball is known as the great American pastime. But the key to getting your kids to play the sport is to invite them to enjoy watching the game with your first.
"I think a big thing to do is watch games with your children. Invite them into your 'fandom,' so to speak," says Jeff Sanders, a sports reporter and avid baseball fan in Temecula, Calif. "Take them to the ballpark. Turn the game on TV. When they latch on to a favorite player—and when you share that with them—the next step is taking the game to your own backyard. That’s when playing catch isn’t an exercise; that’s when it can become fun—trying to throw a ball like Clayton Kershaw of the (Los Angeles) Dodgers or swing the bat like Mike Trout of the (Los Angeles) Angels."
Yoga
Getting your "Namaste" on is easy when you have a pint-size yogi willing to do everything from inversions to backbends.
Miriam Blank-Pilgrim, yoga enthusiast and mom of two in the greater New York City area, suggests finding a beginners' mommy-and-me class to attend together—something she did herself.
"This was perfect. It was at the library, and the teacher would bring stories and incorporate yoga poses with the story," she says. "For example, most involved animals, so when a dog was in the story the teacher would stop and everyone would do downward dog. She also sang songs and did poses with them in addition to the story."
Roller Skating
With roller skating, practice makes perfect, but don't forget the safety equipment.
"The best way to get started is just to buy skates and pads and prepare to fall," says former Long Beach, Calif., roller derby player Angie Holdeman. "Don't fight it. Go down easy. Tuck and roll. Go to the rink and hug the wall. Practice makes perfect. Skate on carpet, skate in grass. Skate, skate, skate!"
Running
Getting out and moving is half the battle, says Andrea Clawson, a Long Beach, Calif., marathon runner. "I would take my kids on runs with me in a stroller when they [were] small. Then, as they [got] older we [could] all go on short family runs around the block to teach them pacing and endurance. I think it would be fun to do a scavenger hunt-type run, too, to make it fun for the kids."
Golf
“Playing golf as a family is the perfect sport to allow families to spend quality time together and foster those traditional family values," says Henri Johnson, CEO of FlightScope, maker of a portable golf ball-flight and launch monitor.
But, of course, it's more than just about family time. "Not only does golf provide families the opportunity to connect, but it also helps children (and some parents) to practice a healthy lifestyle,” Johnson says.
Hiking
"One of the easiest ways to exercise with your family is to hike," says Brooks Tiller, a Nashville, Tenn., physical therapist and strength coach who adds that exercising as a family can strengthen both the body and the family bond. And as a family, you can really get away from the distractions of everyday life.
"The only equipment that you need is a good pair of shoes, a backpack and some bug spray," Brooks says. "Walking in nature allows you a great opportunity to spend time with your family without electronic interruptions."
Biking
Get your helmets on, and pump up those tires. Biking is one way that kids can build up their confidence, says Tiller. "Being able to keep up with their parents gives kids confidence. Once a child knows how to ride a bike, parents can also enjoy riding. Be sure to have a proper-fitting helmet for everyone. Biking also improves balance and coordination."
Dance
If all else fails, have a family dance party right in your own living room. If you want to be more formal about it, you can always take a class. Whatever gets you moving. "Dance can improve balance, mobility and stability," says Tiller.
