Game night
Once a week invite your neighbors to game night. Lead the neighborhood in giant games of capture the flag, ultimate Frisbee®, freeze tag and the like. Anything that involves running around will be fun and good exercise. Before you know it, you will have started a fun, active tradition.

Hit the trail
When the air smells fresh and clean, the woods beckon. Take off with your family for a great hike in the woods. Once you're there, you can do more than simply take a walk—you can engage the kids with different games.

Challenge them to find acorns, pine cones, rocks that look like people. Play "I Spy." Pretend you're a knight and make up a story about your quest, challenging each family member to continue the story using something they see around them. On an adventure hike like this, you'll be amazed at how far your kids will walk, and you'll all come home with rosy cheeks.

Be a beach bum
Just about everyone loves the beach in the summer, but don't forget how nice it is during the fall, winter or spring.

The next time you're looking for something to do with the family, bundle up in warm clothes, pull on some rubber boots and head to the beach. Once you get there, let the open spaces inspire you. Float toy boats. Fly a kite. Play a game in the sand (quite a workout). Find shells. Skip stones. Make a sand sculpture.

Hop on a bike
Remember the freedom you felt as a kid riding your bike, with the wind blowing in your hair? Recapture that sense of adventure and independence by going on a long bike ride with your family. Explore a new neighborhood, check out local bike trails, or if you're feeling adventurous and your kids are old enough, try a little mountain biking.

Have little ones still? Rent an Allycat, which is a full-sized wheel (with a seat and pedal) that attaches to the back of an adult bike. It's a great option for kids who would normally ride a small bike – most little kids love being up high and going fast! Don't forget helmets for everyone.

Meet in the backyard
Dorothy once said "There's no place like home…" and she was right – your family can have a lot of fun and get fit at the same time without leaving your backyard. Wiffle ball, catch, soccer, badminton, bocce – all require limited equipment and are perfect for outdoor family fun. Remember for the little ones, duck-duck-goose is just as much fun outdoors as it is indoors!

Rollerblading fun
For a special treat, hit the skate shop with your family one day soon and rent inline skates and protective gear for the whole family. (Your kids may already own skates, but do you?) Then go to a park with paved trails and skate away. Rollerblading is an excellent workout and a lot of fun, too.


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