Encouraging Activity In Youngsters

Ok, that's the bad news over with. So what can we do about it? After all, as parents we are acutely aware of stranger danger more now than ever before and the urge to protect our children grows stronger with every newspaper that we read. This brings about a certain reluctance to let them out of our sight. I don't know about you, but when I was younger I would disappear all day, playing in the woods, running through fields and playing in play parks without a care in the world. Diets were never my concern because I worked off whatever I ate.


However, these days, more and more children get their entertainment from computer games and TV and their comfort from high fat foods. To counteract this, we should encourage active outdoor play whenever possible. This can be done at home if need be - a garden is all that is needed and it doesn't need to be a large one.



Trampolines are a source of exercise that most children love and this is seen as nothing more than fun. To gain that feeling of weightlessness whilst bouncing through the air is something that adults and children alike love to experience. Many times the parents will be itching to send the children to bed early to get their turn on the trampoline. But of what health benefit is this? Well, for a start the child is physically active as opposed to sitting in front of the TV. The muscles get challenged, the organs also meet challenges whilst pumping extra oxygen and blood around the body and they then become strengthened. Stamina is greatly improved over a relatively small amount of time and, most importantly, the heart receives an excellent cardiovascular workout that will help protect against future heart disease.


Of course, there have been reports in the press of accidents happening on trampolines but there are more children suffering obesity issues than there are injured on a trampoline. Most of the accidents involving trampolines occurred when children were left unsupervised, on the old type of trampoline with exposed springs or where they have fallen over the edge. Nowadays, trampolines are much safer with covered springs and netting surrounding the trampoline to prevent falls. And of course, adult supervision is a must.



Climbing frames are also a way of getting your child active. It will teach them to overcome obstacles, work out physical challenges and build team work ideals. This type of activity broadens their horizons for the way they view things later in life and keeps them physically active, avoiding weight related issues and health concerns.


Of course, not all children are prepared to roll up their sleeves and throw themselves into climbing and bouncing. Some children are naturally more restrained but they still need to be active to be healthy. With this in mind, it is worth investing in a playhouse. These come in various sizes and designs. They encourage imaginative role play in youngsters as well as keeping them outside in the fresh air, getting them involved in sharing games with others and social interaction that they wouldn't get in front of a computer game and, once again, helping to maintain a sensible weight range.


Involving your children in active play will encourage a balanced and healthy lifestyle, it will teach them team work and problem solving and lead to a healthier, more fulfilled lifestyle in later years. Yet, all your children will see they are doing is having great fun!

One of my favourite products in recent years had to be the springfree trampolines which help to make trampoline activity much safer than the traditional style of trampolines.