5 Fun Easy Fitness Activities to Do With Your Grandchildren Grandpa
5 Fun, Easy Fitness Activities to Do With Your Grandchildren – Grandpa... Friends & Family
Golf Are you a golf nut? Why not get the grandkids out on the links? According to the , golf can be a lifelong sport that encourages family interaction and builds lifelong memories. Many offer golf lessons and activities for children. are now developing "family courses" with two levels of additional tees that make it fun and easier for kids to participate. While a little family competition can be fun, keep in mind that you're a role model for your grandchildren. No throwing of golf clubs, please! Not ready for a golf course? Try miniature golf. Always a fun family activity, it maintains and develops eye-and-hand coordination and gets you all walking (and laughing), too. Yoga From prenatal yoga to gentle yoga for the 50-plus set, there's a class for practically everyone. Yoga for children is gaining popularity; more than 100 public schools offer classes for their students. You'll also find many local that offer gentle intergenerational classes — a great way to bond with grandkids and improve your own health. Yoga is easy to learn, portable (little or no equipment required) and builds strength, muscle tone, coordination and balance — benefits for all ages. Buy a yoga DVD for kids and keep it at home for those moments when you need to occupy little ones. Make it fun by doing that are based on animals and nature. Try a few "woofs" with your downward facing dog pose, have an imaginary bird perch on your arm during a tree pose and do a few "ribbits" during your frog pose. Exergaming The new and exercise are not just for kids — grandparents are also buying systems like Nintendo Wii. Families tend to keep their Wii console in the family/living room (59 percent) as opposed to in the kids room (19 percent), which confirms the "exergaming" trend is a popular way to motivate family togetherness. Studies have shown that Wii games, such as bowling, baseball and tennis and other Wii Fit activities improve balance and coordination among older adults. Capitalize on your grandchildren's interest in entertainment media but get them moving. You might even be able to beat them at this type of video game! Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures
5 Ways to Get Active With Grandkids
Exercise is a fun and healthy way to bond with children of all ages
One of the nicest things about grandchildren is their youthful exuberance. We all get an energy boost when we are around kids, and grandparents often say their grandchildren are their main motivation to stay active and fit. See also: Staying active and fit is beneficial to kids, too. With rates at an all-time high, it's more essential than ever to keep children from being too sedentary. Norbert Schaefer/CORBIS Participating in a physical activity with your grandchild is a wonderful way for grandparents — and kids — to stay fit. Here are five activities that you and your grandchildren can do that will be beneficial to both of you: Hiking No matter how old your grandkids are, you can where you'll both get exercise while learning about the great outdoors. Keep it interesting for the kids by incorporating scavenger hunts (who can find a sassafras leaf, wildflower or, better yet, a certain animal's footprints. Whether you take an urban hike around the neighborhood, find a nature trail at a local park or set out on a , choose a path that is a bit of a challenge but not so strenuous for you or your grandchildren to diminish the fun. has family hiking resources. And don't forget to explore our amazing . Tai Chi On a many years ago, I was so taken with the groups of older adults and young children practicing together in the parks. Chinese elders traditionally care for grandchildren and teach them the popular ancient activity, which was originally a defensive martial art and is now mostly used to develop physical and mental harmony. Tai chi involves a series of slow graceful moves that supposedly move energy around your body. It is a powerful multigenerational activity because it is gentle and noncompetitive. It also can be adapted to varying physical abilities. Practice tai chi indoors or outdoors, in a class or at home with a DVD or guide book.Related
Golf Are you a golf nut? Why not get the grandkids out on the links? According to the , golf can be a lifelong sport that encourages family interaction and builds lifelong memories. Many offer golf lessons and activities for children. are now developing "family courses" with two levels of additional tees that make it fun and easier for kids to participate. While a little family competition can be fun, keep in mind that you're a role model for your grandchildren. No throwing of golf clubs, please! Not ready for a golf course? Try miniature golf. Always a fun family activity, it maintains and develops eye-and-hand coordination and gets you all walking (and laughing), too. Yoga From prenatal yoga to gentle yoga for the 50-plus set, there's a class for practically everyone. Yoga for children is gaining popularity; more than 100 public schools offer classes for their students. You'll also find many local that offer gentle intergenerational classes — a great way to bond with grandkids and improve your own health. Yoga is easy to learn, portable (little or no equipment required) and builds strength, muscle tone, coordination and balance — benefits for all ages. Buy a yoga DVD for kids and keep it at home for those moments when you need to occupy little ones. Make it fun by doing that are based on animals and nature. Try a few "woofs" with your downward facing dog pose, have an imaginary bird perch on your arm during a tree pose and do a few "ribbits" during your frog pose. Exergaming The new and exercise are not just for kids — grandparents are also buying systems like Nintendo Wii. Families tend to keep their Wii console in the family/living room (59 percent) as opposed to in the kids room (19 percent), which confirms the "exergaming" trend is a popular way to motivate family togetherness. Studies have shown that Wii games, such as bowling, baseball and tennis and other Wii Fit activities improve balance and coordination among older adults. Capitalize on your grandchildren's interest in entertainment media but get them moving. You might even be able to beat them at this type of video game! Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures