A sedentary lifestyle and obesity are two major problems we have to face in this country, and it all starts with childhood. While this has been an issue for a long time, technology has made things even worse.

Children are practically born with electronic devices in their hands now and getting them to get outside once they are used to them can be very difficult. It is far from impossible, however. Let’s take a look at simple ways to encourage your children to be more active.

Preach by Example

Children naturally want to emulate their parents, and if they see you getting up at six in the morning for a quick jog, they will at least be curious about it. And, one day, they might want to join you. The earlier you can get your children into physical activity, the better, so if you have a young child that wants to go with you, let them.

You might want to go at a slower pace or even walk or have them walk the dog with you in the morning. This alone could encourage them to spend more time outside as they grow older, and they will naturally be more active.

Turn Your Backyard into a Playground

Try to make additions to your backyard that will push your children to be more active. One of the best things you can do is install a patch of grass so you can install backyard games. You could use the area to play putt-putt, giant Jenga, or Twister.

You could buy personalized cornhole boards online and have a cornhole board made specifically for them. The more games you have, the fewer excuses they will have to stay inside and the more inclined they will be to go outside naturally.

Enroll them in Organized Sports

Another thing you could do is enroll your children in organized sports as soon as possible. Do not force them, however, and do not pick the sport for them. Try to pay attention to the types of sports they like and introduce the idea to see if they’re keen on it. Some of the sports you could consider include soccer, ice skating, and little league baseball, just to name a few.

You could also enroll them in dance classes if you wish. This will keep them active, and they could discover a talent that they could turn into a career later on.

Limit Screen Time

You should also put your foot down and impose strict limits on how much time your children can spend looking at screens. A child should not be spending more than two hours on a screen per day, so try to use their tablets as a treat or a gift for doing chores or completing tasks.

Raising active kids in this day and age is not an easy task, but it can be done by making a few adjustments. Always remember to be active yourself and make your environment as conducive to physical activity as possible.