“Mom, I’m sooo bored! What can I do today?”

If you fear these words coming out of your child’s mouth this spring, you must read on to find creative ways to cure your kids of the inevitable cases of boredom!

A new study in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine reveals that almost 1 in 5 preschool-aged children are obese. That comes to a total of 4 million obese children!

We all know that physical activity is an excellent way to prevent childhood obesity. Kids are designed by nature to move and play and dance and giggle. With a few simple suggestions, you can help your kids burn off their energy and prevent childhood (and adult) obesity in the easiest ways!

• Be a good role model for your children. Encourage your children to view physical activity as a natural and enjoyable part of your day, not a forced or dreaded habit. Remember the many benefits of exercise for your entire family: increases self-esteem, helps to control weight, builds healthy bones, reduces stress levels and teaches team-building skills.


• Encourage physical activity with the entire family by taking group walks, playing games with your children or participating in weekend events in the backyard or parks.


• If your child participates in organized sports, be sure to reward his effort and enthusiasm, not just her demonstrated talent on the playing field.


• Consider limiting the time your children watch television or play video games to no more than an hour per day. Instead, encourage your children to find indoor fun activities which simply involve more moving and less sitting (hide-and-seek, dancing).


• Stuck inside on a chilly weekend? Consider buying a disco ball and throwing a Friday night dance party for your kids and their friends! Grab a hula hoop or jump rope for more indoor fun with music. Amazon has great deals on jump ropes and hula hoops! Add a little gymnastics into the mix, and try out forward somersaults or handstands against the wall. Or buy an indoor basketball hoop or mini trampoline.


• When buying toys and presents for your children, choose toys that would encourage moving such as bikes, balls and outdoor equipment. Try to minimize the number of toys which encourage them to play inside or sit in front of the TV or computer. Check out this cool website for more creative ideas, http://www.mindandfitness.com/servlet/StoreFront. Offer positive reinforcement for any activity in which your children participates and encourage them as they express interest in new activities.


• Make a weekly goal for getting your family to the swimming pool this spring by finding a family-friendly indoor swimming pool or water park. Most kids are extremely active at the swimming pool without any needed encouragement from mom or dad, and this can be a wonderful form of exercise for their growing bodies. If you child is ready, consider swim lessons to increase their confidence level and enjoyment of the pool.


• Still feel like life is too hectic and busy for structured activities in your family? Incorporate small lifestyle changes into your day. Park your car in the farthest spot from the grocery store or shopping mall entrance. Take the stairs when possible. Encourage your children to run/race to the next store when this is safe.


• Encourage your children to take the dog for a walk 1x/day. Even if the walk is short, you will be teaching them a sense of responsibility and the importance of exercise for everyone, including the pup!


• Consider doing a family one-mile run this summer. Check out www.active.com for races across the country.

Need more guidance? Try printing out this activity pyramid and sticking on your fridge at home, or print the blank pyramid and fill in for your family’s choices. It will serve as a daily reminder for your family to go outside and get moving and grooving!