A Health and Fitness Guide for Kids
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Do you like playing sports with your friends? Staying active and eating healthy food keeps your body strong so you can have fun. There are lots of games and activities you can do to stay in shape. You'll feel happier when you keep yourself healthy, and your body will be ready to hit the ground running when it's time to play outside. When you don't take care of your body, normal activities like climbing the stairs or going for a walk can make you feel tired and out of breath. Kids' health problems can even follow you when you grow up. That's why it's important to start and maintain healthy habits now.
Why Yoga Is Good for Kids: Calming yoga exercises discipline the mind and stretch your muscles.
The Benefits of Dance for Kids: Turn on your favorite music and try out some new moves.
Relay Races for Kids: Relay races are a fun and interesting way to run around and test your skills.
Take a Walk: Even a relaxing walk through your neighborhood can keep you fit and active.
Tips for a Fun Family Hiking Adventure: The whole family can go for a hike in the hills.
Why Swimming Is Great for Kids: Swim laps in the pool to cool off on a hot summer's day.
Health Benefits of Canoeing and Kayaking: Take in the wonders of nature and build upper arm strength by paddling on lakes and rivers in a kayak or canoe.
Skipping Rope for a Good Workout: Burn some calories in your driveway by jumping rope.
Double Dutch: From Game to Sport: You may have mastered the jump rope, but can you dodge the double Dutch ropes?
Ice Skating With Kids: You might fall a few times, but it's important to get back up. Ice skating is a fun winter pastime once you get the hang of it.
11 Fun Basketball Games Besides H-O-R-S-E: All you need is a basketball hoop to play a game of one-on-one or shoot hoops just for fun.
Benefits of Playing Soccer: Even Mohamed Salah and Lionel Messi had to start somewhere. Set up a goal in your backyard to practice shots or play a pickup game.
How to Play Capture the Flag: You can set up a capture the flag game in your backyard. The winner has to grab the other team's flag before members on the other team catch them.
Dodgeball: Get together with some friends to play this classic game.
Morning Stretches: Wake up and greet the morning by stretching your arms up high and touching your toes.
Fun Games to Play on a Sledding Hill: Grab your sled or a piece of thick cardboard and slide down a snowy hill, then run back up and do it again!
Seven Things to Do With a Hoop: Start by keeping the hoop from falling by shaking your hips back and forth.
Learn About Nutrition in the Garden: Planting a garden will have you spending lots of time outside. Your hard work will be rewarded with beautiful flowers or herbs and veggies to eat.
Teaching Kids How to Shovel Snow: Help out your parents by shoveling the snow. You'll get a good workout and maybe even earn some pocket money.
Recess Makes Kids Smarter: Even if it's cold outside, put on your coat and gloves and play outside with your friends. You'll be more focused when you get back to class.
How to Play Hopscotch: Play traditional hopscotch or make up your own rules.
Seven-Minute Workout for Kids: It doesn't need to take all day to stay in shape.
Benefits of Gymnastics: Gymnastics is an amazing sport that will give you spatial awareness and better coordination.
Benefits of Playing Tag: It's a simple game, but playing tag can help you burn calories and build stamina.
Why Kids Need Daylight: Kids are like flowers because they need sunlight to grow. Sunlight makes you happier, stimulates your mind so you can learn faster, and helps your body make vitamin D.
Food Before Bed: What to Choose and What to Skip: Avoid sugary snacks right before bed. Eat something with protein or fiber so you don't go to bed hungry.
Know Your Food Groups: The main food groups are vegetables, fruits, grains, protein, dairy, and fats. Each meal should contain most or all of the food groups.
Think Fast When You Want Fast Food: Fast food is OK once in a while, but if you eat fast food all the time, you'll put lots of unhealthy processed food into your body instead of food that promotes kids' health.
Too Much Sugar Can Cause Health Problems: Sugar doesn't just make you hyper. Too much sugar can put you at risk of developing diabetes, and it can give you cavities.
28 Great Healthy Snacks: Instead of grabbing a bag of potato chips, why not have some trail mix or a handful of fresh cherries?
Do Kids Really Need to Drink Milk? Milk has calcium and vitamin D, which make your bones stronger. Drink more milk if you can't go outside to get natural vitamin D from the sun.
Eating More Fruits and Vegetables: Fruits and vegetables are an important part of good health. Eat vegetables with every meal, and add fresh fruit to your yogurt or cereal.
Benefits of Vitamin C: Vitamin C boosts your immune system so you won't get sick as often. It also gives you strong bones and teeth and more energy.
Dangers of Overeating in Children and Teens: Eating when you're not hungry makes you gain weight and be less fit. Find other ways of relieving stress if you eat when you're bored or upset.