Let’s get real – parenting can be exhausting! There are days I’m sure we all feel like we have run a marathon but if you look back, we really haven’t moved that much. Summer certainly makes it easier to focus on getting UP, getting OUT and MOVING more! While it is nice to have more free time to spend together as a family, it also puts more pressure on me to find things to keep my daughter busy!
So, I have decided to challenge myself and my family to a 30-day Move and Groove Challenge, where we will move at least 30 minutes a day for 30 days! AND I am challenging all parents to move and groove with their kids for at least 30 minutes a day for the next 30 days!
Let this be your motivation – incorporating physical activity helps everyone release energy and makes bedtime a little easier… who doesn’t want that?!
There are so many fun ways to not only get moving and grooving with our kids, but also ways that support learning and development for our little ones. (Link our newsletter). You don’t need to over think it, simply walk, jump, ride bikes, throw a ball, swim, etc. A fun way to kick things off and get the whole family motivated is to have everyone come up with an activity, game, or a way the whole family can be active together and record it on paper. Cut out each idea and place them in a jar. Each day take turns selecting one or more activities from the jar! Set your daily goal to 30 minutes and have rewards at the end of each week for the days you surpass this goal. The more involved family members are in the planning and executing this 30-day Move and Groove Challenge, the more likely you will all complete it successfully! My daughter for example came up with the following ideas for this first week:
- Chasing bubbles
- Playing soccer
- Play at the park
- Ride bikes
- Walk to the pond to see the ducks
- Go to the Zoo
- Running through the sprinkler
- Hopscotch or obstacle course on the sidewalk with chalk
You can also use our “30-Day Family Move & Groove Challenge” tracker to record and review your progress.
Good luck and have fun!