Christmas is always a fun time with family and friends (often filled with eating yummy treats and not enough exercise).  This year, use the holidays as a great chance to keep your kids moving & active (and ensure they don’t spend too much time in front of a screen!) Each year in Australia, studies show an increase in childhood obesity.  If kids learn to be active early & enjoy movement and exercise now, it will stay with them throughout adulthood as well! We have put together a list of fun ways to keep your family active and moving this Christmas break!

8 Fun Ways to Keep Kids Active Over the Festive Season

• Get in the Christmas Spirit Christmas lights are a fun festive tradition. Why not take an evening walk around your neighbourhood with the family to see who has the best display in your area! The kids will love it and you get to move as a family (don’t forget to pack a torch or some glow sticks and for a bit of fun, put on your Santa hat!)

• Swim, swim, swim Beat the heat and get some exercise too! Head to the beach or pool with the kids and work off some energy in the water (what gymnast doesn't love practicing their beam routine or dream tumbles in the pool?). The ocean has a nice calming effect on kids and they will certainly sleep well that night after being on the go in the water!

• Beach Volleyball Hit the beach and set up your own beach volleyball game. One on one or in a team for some serious fun and a full body workout!

• Hunt for Treasure Younger kids love a treasure hunt (big kids and parents do too)! Make a treasure map with fun clues to find the prize, hide the treasure outside in the garden and let the hunt begin! The prize can be any little treat (stickers are great for young ones) -  the fun and excitement is finding the treasure!

• Give Active Christmas Presents Keep kids moving by giving active Christmas presents! Bikes, scooters, roller blades, footballs – all provide hours of fun (and loads of exercise to boot!).

• Backyard Cricket Why not gather the family outside after Christmas lunch for an all-in game of backyard cricket! Great for a laugh and to get moving after the big feast!

• Water Fun! Who needs a water park? Set up the slip n slide, fill up the water balloons, slip, slop, slap and have some fun!

• Cartwheels A family who cartwheels together, stays together! Challenge your little gymnast to a cartwheel (or bunny hop) comp! (Remember to warm up first!)

So many fun and active ways to get kids moving, connect with your kids and get in some exercise for yourself at the same time!  Remember to allow everyone some down time as well – a few chill out days of movies, books and board games should be on the holiday calendar too! Happy Holidays Team Delta!