“Many family members today spend a lot of time on their screens,” said Kelly K. James, ACE-certified personal trainer, author and fitness expert for TOPS Club Inc. (Take Off Pounds Sensibly). “While smart phones and game consoles may be a constant temptation, there are plenty of ways to help the whole gang get (and stay) more active.” Here are five after-school activities, each 15-20 minutes, from Kelly:
This classic game tests your aim and balance.
Make a list of items (a cardinal or blue shutters on a house, for example) for you and the kids to move around and find.
Tossing a toy disc — aka frisbee — is more about skill than strength, which makes it a great activity for all ages.
Tossing a toy disc is more about skill than strength, which makes it a great activity for all ages.
Do you still have a croquet set? Or how about bean bag-toss equipment? Set up the game and enjoy some friendly competition.
Do you still have a croquet set? Or how about bean bag-toss equipment? Set up the game and enjoy some friendly competition.
Use a nearby basketball hoop to take turns shooting baskets from different spots around the court. If you make a basket and one of the kids misses, s/he gets an “H.” The person who spells out H-O-R-S-E first loses. (Use a different animal name to make the game longer or shorter. E.g., if you're short on time try P-I-G, or if you really want to make it last, shoot for E-L-E-P-H-A-N-T.)
