Great Ways To Be Active During the Summer!

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Summer is here: Let the fun and games begin!

Summer is a time for relaxing with friends and family. It's the time of year when families generally take their annual vacations since children are out of school.

Summer is also the time when parents aren't as strict about what their children eat. Picnics and barbecues become standard fare. As such, it's important that children get an adequate amount of exercise during summer months.

The question remains: how do parents go about getting their children to exercise without it seeming like a chore?

They let them play.

Entertaining children and adults

Games which can be played in your own backyard.

Tag

Catch me if you can!

It's been around for generations and still holds as much excitement for yourself and your children as the first time you played it.

Running around the yard while trying to avoid the tap on your shoulder which would mean you're "it" is packed with a bunch of laughs, shrieks, and near misses until, eventually, someone does get caught and the fun begins again.

This is one of the best games to play to get the heart racing while entertaining everyone at the same time.

Soccer

Let me score a goal

Set up a net and you're on your way to have a lot of fun. With one goalie, who cares about team players? Everyone fend for yourselves, running and trying to get the ball away from everyone until you score a goal.

The adrenaline will begin to rush through your bodies as you run around the yard, forever trying to retain control of the ball.

Lots of laughter will ensue as long as it doesn't become too competitive to the point the fun disappears.

Let's play soccer!

Oh, oh! Where's the ball?

adidas TerraPass Glider Soccer Ball (White/Red/Black, 4)

Amazon Price: $14.75 (as of 12/26/2009)

Usually ships in 24 hours

Tachikara SM4SC dual colored soft PU soccer ball, size 4 (royal/white).

Amazon Price: $12.31 (as of 12/26/2009)

Usually ships in 1 to 3 weeks

Lar.Nerf Soccer Ball

Amazon Price: (as of 12/26/2009)

Tachikara SS4R traditional rubber soccer ball, size 4.

Amazon Price: $9.23 (as of 12/26/2009)

Usually ships in 24 hours

Mikasa FSC62 America Futsal Soccer Ball (Black/White, Size 4)

Amazon Price: $24.99 (as of 12/26/2009)

Usually ships in 24 hours

Jump Rope

Where's the skipping rope?

You've heard the expression, "Jump Rope for Heart." No kidding! Jumping rope is entertaining especially when you're using a long skipping rope, and other people jump in at the same time as you to jump for as long as they can.

It's fun to see who holds out the longest but it's a major work-out. Water should be nearby for when you've jumped out. You'll definitely need it!

Skipping ropes!

Wooden Pig Skipping Jump Rope by The Toy Workshop

Amazon Price: (as of 12/26/2009)

Heart Skipping Rope pink

Amazon Price: $19.99 (as of 12/26/2009)

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Wooden Frog Skipping Jump Rope by The Toy Workshop

Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 12/26/2009)

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Enjoying the Tree House...

Or Climbing Trees. Take your pick!

Hanging out in a tree house can be lots of fun. Children may not get as much continual exercise but they will have a lot of fun. In addition, they will get a little work-out from climbing up and down the ladder.

"Wait a minute! Does it really have to be in the backyard?"

Families can be entertained anywhere

and they can get lots of exercise, too!

What better place can you think of to take your children for a day filled with entertainment than a beach, especially in the early evening hours when there are not as many people around?

My family and I go to the beach whenever we can get an opportunity...but not to laze around, though that has its merits, especially if there's a need to relax from the hectic pace of life.

During our vacation in Prince Edward Island during July, 2009, my children alternated between relaxing on the beach, playing in the sand and walking along the sandy shoreline. Of course, I always enjoyed walking along sandy beaches and could walk for long stretches at a time if not feeling the need to continually watch out for my children.

Needless to say, for me, I'm most comfortable when we're all together and, while visiting Greenwich Beach, PEI, we spent a lot of time hanging out, exploring one part of the beach and then another - until Kelsey, my oldest daughter, managed to climb a sand dune...and proceeded to slide down the dune.

It was hilarious and I laughed until my stomach hurt - also good exercise, by the way.

From there, the enjoyment was contagious; Courtney climbed the dune, followed by Owen, while Miles and I relaxed at the base. Miles played with his life jacket while I took on the role of photographer.

At one point, Owen chased Courtney down the dune and she finally rolled over in surrender.

It was entertaining, to be sure, and I'm glad I was there to take part in a day I never could have imagined, in my wildest dreams.

We have some beautiful moments of that day - all captured on my digital camera - and I did take my turn climbing and sliding down the dune and it was a lot of fun. Admittedly, I had more fun watching my family and recording them because it really was entertaining...and they were getting a great physical workout while making memories to last a lifetime.

Fabulous Canadian Beaches

My family has visited each of these!

My children and I have created fantastic memories from one coast of Canada to the other. Here are a few of the beaches we've enjoyed:

Great Ways To Be Active During the Summer!

Summer is here: Let the fun and games begin!

What you will find below

Entertaining children and adults

Games which can be played in your own backyard.

Tag

Catch me if you can!

Soccer

Let me score a goal

Let's play soccer!

Oh, oh! Where's the ball?

Jump Rope

Where's the skipping rope?

Skipping ropes!

Enjoying the Tree House...

Or Climbing Trees. Take your pick!

"Wait a minute! Does it really have to be in the backyard?"

Families can be entertained anywhere

and they can get lots of exercise, too!

Fabulous Canadian Beaches

My family has visited each of these!

1

Penticton, British Columbia

2

Grand Beach, Manitoba

3

Victoria Beach, Manitoba

4

Rainbow Falls Beach, Ontario

5

Yarmouth Beach, Nova Scotia

6

Cabot Provincial Park Beach, Prince Edward Island

7

Hampton Beach, Prince Edward Island

8

Cavendish Beach, Prince Edward Island

9

Greenwich Beach, Prince Edward Island

10

Musgrave Harbour Beach, Newfoundland

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Badminton is the game to play

Frisbee is a good alternative

Badminton sets for you and your family...

Sprinkler time

Fun in the sun

Playground structures

The bigger, the better

Horseshoes may be an ideal game

But, perhaps, lawn darts is your preference

Possible horseshoes for your family...

Tending to the lawn and gardens

Mowing, raking and gardening incorporates great abdominal exercise.

Tips to look after your garden or yard.

Favorite Summer Activities for Children

1

Visiting the zoo

2

Visiting the beach

3

Going on picnics

4

Boating

5

Flying kites

6

Visiting amusement parks

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