7 Ways to Help Your Child Get More Exercise This Fall

The weather is cooling down and the Autumn boots and sweaters are out to play. But, just because there is a chill in the air, does not mean all that summer exercise has to stop. Here are 7 ways you can help your child get more exercise this Fall…

1.Play in The Leaves

One of the best things about Fall is the gorgeous falling leaves! Do you agree?

If autumn brings down leaves in your area, make a game out of catching them on a windy day — see who can catch the most yellow, orange, or red ones, suggests Zuercher. Then rake them into piles — give the kids child-sized rakes so they can help — and have fun jumping in them, or take turns completely covering one another in leaves. After a snowfall, let kids help clear the porch or walkway, then see who can make the most snow angels. Older kids can help build a snowman — and even toss a few snowballs. ~Parents.com

2.Go Apple Picking

This is a wonderful activity, to do once a year, that creates great family memories. Pick some apples, buy some cider, and get exercise as a bonus!

Fall is apple season. A great way to have some fun, and get some exercise, is to go to a local farm or orchard and pick your own apples. This will get you outside, walking around, and stretching for the perfect find. Picking a bushel of apples also leaves you with a great, healthy snack! Local farms like Simmons and Triple B have great orchards where you can pick your own apples! ~Kids+Pediatrics

3.Pumpkin Races

This idea comes via Active Beat,

To get your kids exercising, pumpkin races are a fun fall activity that you can make a day of and play several times throughout fall. Take the family to a pumpkin patch or a grocery store that carries pumpkins, and buy a medium-sized pumpkin for each person or put everyone in teams for relay-style racing. Set up a start and finish line and have the kids race by pushing the pumpkins with a broom. Since it’s a race, kids will be rushing and running trying to get to the finish line first, giving their heart a good workout.

4.Scavenger Hunts

Scavenger hunts are another kid-favorite, and the running around to finish first is great exercise. If you have a quiet street and have good relationships with your neighbors and their kids, set up a street-wide scavenger hunt. Using fall items, such as acorns and colorful leaves, hide several different items outside. Scatter the items as far apart as you can to increase the amount of racing around they have to do. Provide a checklist of the items, pair the children up, and send them on their way. If you don’t have a suitable street to do this on, use a park or another public area, but make sure each kid has a buddy for safety. ~Active Beat

5.Biking

If it has been too hot this summer, now is the time to pull those bicycles and tricycles for the younger ones. Pump up those tires and get those legs going!

With the nice, cool temperatures, a bike ride can be really enjoyable. Go solo or bring along a buddy. Maybe mom or a friend might want to join! Take in a bit of scenery, looking out at colorful leaves, mountains, and any other greenery that pops up during fall season. ~Kurbo.com

6.Bubbles

Just because summer is over does not mean you have to put the bubbles away. Bubbles can look even more gorgeous with the reflective colors of Autumn. Bundle up your little ones a bit more and still chase those bubbles around.

Grandparents.com makes a fabulous point,

Every kid loves blowing bubbles. We defy you to find an exception.

7.Turn Chores into Make Believe

And if you must stay indoors, turn everyday chores into a fun game,

Pretend that dust creatures are invading earth and it’s up to Captain [insert child’s name] to save the day by capturing them with his broom, suggests registered dietitian Juliet Zuercher of Wickenburg, Arizona. “Make believe he’s one of the Rescue Heroes, and have him save his teddy bears from the slimy pit of the floor by putting them safely in his toy chest,” she says. Jodi Arlen of Bethesda, Maryland, turns folding laundry into a guessing game. “It started when my daughter would ask, ‘Is that mine?’ and it grew into ‘Guess whose this is!'” she says. After her daughters, 3 years old and 20 months old, correctly identify the clothing, they help fold them. ~Parents.com