Ideas for Kids to Play 60 Minutes Outdoors

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of California Milk Advisory Board. Please view my disclosure for more info.

You and I both know that kids do their best when they are exercised-mind, body and soul. From nutrition to one-on-one time with you, and enough time to play 60 minutes actively each day, children need these things to be more balanced. It is a life lesson-eat well, get exercise, feel your best. We try to live it, right moms? We can’t always fit it all in perfectly, but a great way to get the exercise we need and get our kids moving for their 60 minutes a day, are simple ways to play outdoors together.

I have to get the kids outside into the backyard at least once a day. Usually after dinner is the target. The kids head out, I finish cleaning up after dinner, and then I join them. Lately, they have wanted me to chase them-not really play tag, but just chase them, tag them and chase them some more EVERY evening. They enjoy it and we are all running for most of the time we are outdoors.

There are a lot of ways to play 60 minutes every day. Here are some simple ways to keep your kids moving and active outdoors for at least an hour every day.

5 Simple Ways to Get Kids Playing Outdoors

DIY Hurdles

I took apart a plastic shelf-you know the ones that you have to assemble out of the box? Using one shelf and 4 posts, I made a hurdle for my oldest to try to jump over. It was a little tall for him, but he could do it. It was definitely too tall for my other 3 kids. To adapt it for the younger ones, we just placed the shelf flat on the ground and the kids took turns jumping over our little DIY hurdle!

Don’t have a plastic modular shelf? Use a piece of wood, or even just a folded beach towel. Lay it down and everyone can take turns seeing how high they can jump over it.

Beach Ball Punching Bag

The kids enjoy testing their eye-hand coordination with this beach ball punching bag.

I tied some string to the beach ball valve stem and then tied the other end of the string to a beam on our backyard trellis. Don’t have a trellis? Use a garden shepherd’s hook or try tying the ball from a rafter in the garage or the overhang on your porch-if you have one.

The kids tried to hit, kick and bop the ball. Even a game or two of keep-away from the twins took place. I should have recorded the sound of their laughter because it amazed me how excited they were by this simple activity.

Fuel Up to Play 60 Playbook

When you and I were kids, there was gym or physical education in school. Now, schools are cutting these classes that teach sports, exercise and healthy habits to kids. Fuel Up to Play 60 has activity ideas for kids to get at least 60 minutes of movement each day plus make healthy eating choices.

There are great ideas for getting kids moving and we parents can get things started. California Dairy families joined with Fuel Up to Play 60 to kick off a great campaign for showcasing the benefits of healthy eating, and healthy activity levels for kids. Created by the National Football League and National Dairy Council, with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Fuel Up to Play 60 is the largest in-school wellness program in the U.S.

Your school may be eligible to take part! The program is creating healthy changes in more than 73,000 schools nationwide. It encourages kids to consume low-fat and fat-free dairy products, fruits, vegetables, lean meats and whole grains while achieving at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day. Our kids need us to set the example. They need to learn about the benefits of getting at least 60 minutes of movement per day as well as getting those servings of protein-packed dairy from the California Dairy families.

I am a stickler when it comes to milk and dairy in our house. A a kid, I always drank my milk. Now, in my mid-thirties I still have never broken a bone or had a cavity thanks to strong bones and teeth. I give my parents credit for always serving me milk or cheese at least 3 times a day. I do the same with my children. The impact on our health throughout our life when we start with healthy eating habits as children is huge.

Qualifying California schools participating in the Fuel Up to Play 60 program are eligible for up to $4,000 during the school year and funding eligibility for the 2015-2016 school year is held through a competitive program designed to support schools that implement activity ideas and healthy choices from the 2015-2016 edition of the Fuel Up to Play 60 Playbook with activity ideas.

Visit a playground

This is an obvious one. Kids just cannot leave with excess energy after visiting a playground for an hour!

Run!

Just like I mentioned above, my kids always want me to chase them-we just run! It is so simple, but such a great release of energy, and it is fun.

We as moms know kids need time to play outside-my kids do the best when they get at least 60 minutes of high intensity play outdoors every day. Running, jumping, playing tag, climbing, sliding-they need it to be at their best, to respect others, and maintain focus when they are learning. We all need time outside. My kids and I use simple activity ideas to make sure we are moving for at least an hour every day.

 

Does your child’s school have gym class? How do you think that impacts his/her week and fitting in at least an hour of active play per day?

 

For more information on the Fuel Up to Play 60 program and your school’s eligibility, view details here.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of California Milk Advisory Board.

Enjoy your time at home!