Kids' activity level drops with age

I didn't know the percentages but that's horrible. I remember wanting to play outside, but being allergic to everything so my mother had me play quietly inside. I rarely went outside. Now I work from home and I wish I could get out more to play with my son. Unfortunately there's just not much to do around where we live. We have a library about a 10 minute walk from our house which is a beautiful thing. But I hate to go from one building (our house) to another building (the library). There are no playgrounds around here for my son (2) to climb on, it kind of sucks. But he loves to run, so we try to walk everywhere with him: to the post office, the grocery store, the hardware store, the library, the convenience store.:)

That is a shame. When I was a kid I would have much rather been outdoors playing with my friends than sitting in front of a TV. My kids are a lot like that too, and we do our best to keep them active. Yesterday and the day before we all went for a 4 mile walk, and stopped at a playground along the way.

We have two teens--ages 15 and 13. The way we keep them active is to be active as a family; we take walks most evenings--weather permitting--and spend the weekends hiking and exploring places we find. If it is a family affair, staying active becomes a natural habit.

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My children have no problem getting outside to play. If they had it their way they would be outside from dawn to dusk without coming in! They are still young, so that could explain it. They are only 3,4 and 5. I am trying to keep them in good habits. They are outside for at least 3 hours a day at the least. Even during the winter they go outside for even 20 minutes. I believe in letting children outside every single day no matter the weather. It's good for them to get a breath of fresh air everyday. About 2 weeks ago they were outside from 11am until 7pm without coming inside unless to go potty.

My son is only 8 and I already have to practically drag him out of the house. My baby loves to be outside though. She gets mad when you make her come inside.

Yesterday, I was walking in the park and thrilled to see a mom bike riding with her two daughters. Both girls had more than a few extra pounds.

The older daughter stopped riding and when the mom asked her why, the daughter said she wasn't having fun! That says it all for me about kids and exercising.

Playing outside as a kid came naturally. No one told us to go outside and play. There wasn't anything to do inside!

I worry about kids who have no time to imagine. Have you ever seen a car with a DVD monitor and the kids eyes glued to the screen? They're not even looking out the window.

Thanks for reminding all parents to get their kids away from the computer, cell phone, and TV and get them outside having fun.

I'm 16 right now and I make sure I get at least one hour of exercise a day. I do martial arts, cross country, and weight lift so it's not really moderate exercise either because I have to push myself hard in each of them. I do think that kids in general need to exercise more. My brother sits at home most days and watches tv or plays video games. It's not all about the exercise though. Eating healthy should be something to focus on even more than exercise. I learned how to read the nutrition label and ingredients list and what micro nutrients I need more of with my activity level. You know those Kellogg's (Frosted Flakes, Luck Charms) cereals and how they advertise how good it is for you? It's crap, bad for you. It's important to eat healthy as much it is to exercise.

We play alot. It might be baseball, soccer, riding bikes or just being silly running around outside. Our kids love to be active. It is not something we force, just something that comes natural with our interaction. They also see us being active, so that is an example. Besides that, we always try to make sure our kids each fruit and veggies everyday. They don't complain, they love them

My sister is 7 and I try to get her out and interested in more things then what cartoon is on. I try to get her out and riding her bike, playing bad mitten,frisbee,walking,skateboarding and other things. She does love her television and games but at her age she loves also playing outside with big sis. I am hoping this will teach her early good habits. Although I must say she love games and already taking a great inrterest in the online games and neopets. Maybe we should get them videos and make them exercise before getting online. alot of parents work hard and can't monitor theit childrens habits as well as they should. I making up schedules would be great so they get what is needed done before playtime and television time is penciled in.

Fortunately, my daughter gets good exercise just jumping and skipping around the house. She calls it dancing. I don't leave he outside to run around much. She's a little darling princess and I don't want to go tempting the sickos. I guess I am overprotective.