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Keep Your Kids Outdoors Active With Gardening |
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Activities
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Written by Michael Ferrantino
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Friday, 11 July 2008 07:21 |
Getting kids involved with gardening is a great way to keep them both active and outdoors and teach them the basic principles about sustaining life, especially if you decide to plant a vegetable garden. With the exception of a few hearty-growing vegetables like green beans, the growing season for vegetables is over. However, it's not too late to plant fall flowers, tidy up the landscaping and even do some planning for next Spring's growing season. For example, an area can be staked-out and the soil turned over now -for next year.
Visit your local garden center for mid-summer planting, or check out a site we just discovered, LandscapeUSA.com (click the tree logo to check them out)   for plants, supplies and other necessities. Of course, you'll want to closely supervise kids while gardening. Next year, we recommend a vegetable growing competition for tomatoes, cucumbers, watermelons and of course, pumpkins. By turning gardening into a game - it will encourage the kids to spend more time outside and performing the physical work of gardening.
We'll remember to update this blog early next Spring to remind you about this fun and educational activity.
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Puppy Dogs & Kids: A Match Made In Heaven! |
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Activities
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Written by Michael Ferrantino
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Wednesday, 09 July 2008 20:14 |
I know I'm going to get a lot of emails and flack for this blog - but hear me out because I know I'm right. If you have young children, it's a good time to get a dog (adoption is always recommended). If your children are not as active or as fit as you would like them to be, then it's a doubly good time to get a dog. There, I've said it.
Yes, you'll more than likely be left to take care of the pup's medical and day-to-day needs. You can't expect your kids to do more than play with the dog, but trust me, that's what they both need more than anything else. A dog will always try to join in on the fun and games and the best "chore" you can give your kids - is to exercise your pup by walking and playing with him/her.
Before you buy or adopt a dog, do your research and figure out what breed is best suited to your lifestyle and living arrangements. Make no mistake about it, it is a serious decision, long-term commitment and a lot of responsibility to own a dog. What you'll get out of it is a lot of love for your family - and it's a love that runs both ways.
A good place to start your research is on the American Kennel Club website (also known as the AKC). The AKC website has all the resources you need to make your decision: you'll be able to research different breeds, find breeders and adoption organizations -and more.
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Make Your Vacation an Active One |
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Activities
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Written by Michael Ferrantino
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Saturday, 05 July 2008 04:26 |
Wherever you decide to vacation, even it's home-sweet-home in your own backyard, make it an active one! Resist the temptation to do little more than sleeping by the pool and eating, by arranging activities in advance. Consider some of these ideas:
- Map out a bicycle ride
- Take snorkeling lessons
- Plan a few hikes that include a packed lunch
- Tour a local botanical garden
- If winter, arrange a ski vacation
The idea is to teach your kids that by being active, they'll learn new physical skills, explore and see new things.
Copyright © 2008 KitMotive.com All Rights Reserved.
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Make the upcoming Olympics a Kid Motivational Event |
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Activities
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Written by Michael Ferrantino
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Wednesday, 02 July 2008 16:12 |
Looking for ideas to encourage your kids to be healthy & fit? We suggest making the upcoming Olympics a family TV event.
Parents, let's use some reverse psychology: If you find it difficult to peel your kids away from the TV, then here's your opportunity to use that to your advantage. From August 8th through August 24th, 2008, the Summer Olympics will be broadcast on NBC. Check the official NBC Olympics website for the schedule, pick some convenient times for family TV viewing and then set your own schedule. Make it an event by preparing special healthy snacks, decorating and possibly inviting your kid's friends to join. Be sure to make the event about them (and not the adults).
Without being completely obvious, observe what activities get their attention. For example, if you notice your kid particularly interested in swimming, then simply ask them if they would like to try some swimming lessons. The Olympics include a variety of sporting events, from cycling and equestrian to wrestling and beach volleyball. There are more than enough events to watch and there will be plenty of athlete interviews to encourage and motivate your kids.
Copyright © 2008 KidMotive.com All Rights Reserved.
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Childhood Obesity: Staying Hopeful - Keeping Active |
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In The NEWS
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Written by Michael Ferrantino
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Thursday, 26 June 2008 19:53 |
Todays news is full of reports on the "bleak future" for obese kids. While we agree that reporting purely on the scientific findings is informative and necessary, we don't agree with sensationalist reporting or headlines that can have the psychological net-effect of nullifying hope.
The numbers are staggering but the outlook is only "bleak" if you accept it as such. After your physician gives you the okay to exercise and make dietary changes, the future is then left up to you. You can choose to find a variety of outdoor, fitness and sports activities that are fun and beneficial to your health. What's important here is to keep a positive mental attitude and to stay active. If you do those two things, then you have the battle with obesity two-thirds of the way won. Remember, other kids have done it - and so can you or yours.
Copyright © 2008 KidMotive.com All Rights Reserved.
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Parents & Kids
