Munch Bunch - great for growing kids

Healthy Activities

Being active is just as important for health as eating a balanced diet, so get your children off to a great start and encourage a good habit for life.

Not so sporty? Don't worry - keeping active doesn't have to mean doing a sport. Being active for 10 minutes 4-5 times a day is just as good as doing a sport for 40 minutes. Try to plan a little bit of exercise for the family into each day, such as walking or cycling to school or the shops.

Children are much more likely to be active if their parents are too, so encourage your children to get moving and set an example by being active yourself.

Why not try some of the following activities as a family in the evenings, at weekends, or during the holidays?

Did you know that weight-bearing activities can help strengthen our bones too? Short bursts of high impact activities are especially good, particularly for younger people e.g. skipping, jumping, footie and dancing.

plan your healthier week with Megs wicked week planner

Click on the icons for some ideas

Walking is an ideal family activity and it's free! You can walk anywhere and it's a great way to get fit and strengthen bones and muscles while spending family time together.
Cycling is another fun activity all the family can enjoy. Why not try cycling round your local park, or head into the countryside for a scenic family cycle?
Swimming at your local pool is an activity that the family can do in all weathers and at all times of the year. It also helps build up the appetite for a delicious healthy family meal when you get back home.
Do you have an ice rink near you? Why not pop along and give it a try? Ice-skating burns energy, tones up the muscles and improves mobility and co-ordination.
Have lots of fun learning to rollerblade as a family - your kids might be able to teach you a thing or two with this activity!
Ten-pin bowling is a perfect weekend or holiday treat for all the family - in fact the kids might have so much fun bowling, they won't even notice they're getting healthy at the same time!
Organise a family game of rounders, football or cricket in your back garden or park to get everyone playing together and having fun at the same time.
Get a dance mat that you can plug into a games console and enjoy a fun family session that gets everyone up, moving and enjoying themselves. Why not arrange a family dance-off to get the whole household dancing to the same tune?
Try out a trampoline at home - you can set one up in the garden, or even try squeezing a small one in the house. Trampolining burns loads of calories and is a great way to increase your family's fitness in stages.