This is why we live here.
Summer has finally arrived in the Pacific Northwest. It’s time to tune up the bicycles, stuff the daypacks and knock the dirt off your cleats. I can already smell the barbeque.
But summer also marks the end of the school year. And while the internet and video game consoles can pass the time as babysitters, there’s sufficient evidence that this isn’t healthy for our kids.
And healthy kids are happy kids. And happy kids make happy parents.
Why Should Kids Stay Active?
At the top of many of our to-do lists is “get in shape” or “be more active.”
Not only does it make us look better, but activity makes us feel better, too. And it’s good for our health.
But did you know that kids enjoy many of the same benefits from increased activities as do their adults counterparts?
Not only do active children have comparatively higher levels of cardiorespiratory fitness, stronger muscles and lower fat than do their inactive peers, but they may also have reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression! And no, we didn’t make that up: it is from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ 2012 report titled “Strategies to Increase Physical Activity Among Youth.”
There’s more: participating in group activities can boost kids’ self-esteem, according to Patty Hoefer Luciano, Group Fitness Coordinator at Thrive Community Fitness in Anacortes.
And she should know. Luciano’s sons are outstanding athletes. The younger is a star baseball player on his high school squad, and the elder Luciano runs track for a Division I NCAA school.
Luciano said her boys’ active childhoods played a significant role in their desire to remain fit and healthy into their young adult years.
“When they’re out doing something active, they’re less likely to get into trouble!,” she said. “They’re out playing around, having fun, doing active sports; most likely they’re going to be doing what’s healthy.”
On the flip side of the coin, overweight and obese children are at greater risk of disease and other health related issues when they reach adulthood, according to a 2010 study in the International Journal of Obesity.
How to Keep Kids Active
So you know activity is good for your kids, but how do you keep them active?
Some downtime is okay, of course. Everyone needs time to relax.
The Department of Health and Human Services recommends one hour or more of physical activity for children each day. That’s not so hard, is it?
With younger kids, it’s a typically as easy as ensuring your community has appropriate activities available, said Luciano.
“They play video games when there’s nothing else to do,” she said. “We have to allow them time to relax, but it’s important for community centers to open their doors to camping trips, rafting, hiking and other activities.”
As children get older and become more independent, it can be more difficult to convince them to come to community- or parent-organized events. That’s why Luciano encouraged her sons to independently organize activities for their friends.
“If the kids do it and organize it, the other kids will come,” she said. “Parent-organized events typically don’t attract many teenagers.”
Luciano’s younger son often organizes orienteering activities, like geocaching and scavenger or treasure hunts. During the treasure hunts, her son’s friends run from location to location, uncovering clues that would lead to more clues.
“He would talk to local police beforehand to let them know they were out doing this, so they wouldn’t get in trouble,” she added.
Luciano also credits community service with helping to keep her kids active during the summer. In addition to helping kids stay active, community service can also help to build a bond between teenagers and the rest of the community.
Hitting the Gym
And of course, one of the best ways for kids to remain active any time of year is by going to their local fitness center.
Thrive Community Fitness places an emphasis on providing a positive experience for the entire family. Each Thrive location has a staff-supervised Thrive Kids room, with toys and play structures for kids to enjoy while you focus on your workouts.
And if you join Thrive in June, kids and adults will receive free membership dues for the months of July and August. Current members can also upgrade their existing memberships to add free guest passes for their children and other friends and family to use.
Thrive has six locations in Western Washington, including:
Sign yourself or your kids up today, or connect with your local Thrive to learn about upgrade options so the whole family can stay active this summer!