Simple ways to get kids moving outdoors and staying healthy this summer

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — With summer right around the corner, parents may be searching for easy ways to keep their kids active and off screens.

April Teague, a dietician with Community Health Network, says it doesn’t have to be complicated, or expensive, to get kids moving.

“Keeping kids active this summer is really important to keep a lot of their health benefits on point, so by the time they go back to school, they’re actually ready for it,” Teague said.

Teague recommends keeping it simple with outdoor classics like sidewalk chalk, Frisbees, and hula hoops. She even showed a creative way to use Twister outside by turning it into a hopscotch game.

“You don’t necessarily need to spend a ton of money on a bunch of things to get your kids out,” Teague said.

One of the biggest challenges parents may face is battling screens, from phones to laptops. Teague says timing is everything, as hotter part of the day could be a good time for kids to have their screen time indoors.

“I would recommend to parents to consider that the best times to get them out would actually be before 10 a.m. in the morning and after 4 p.m. at night because that’s when the weather’s going to be cooler,” she said.

Staying hydrated is just as important as staying active, especially during those hot summer days. Teague explained that kids have a higher percentage of water in their bodies than adults, making them more vulnerable to dehydration. “About half their body weight they should be drinking in water daily,” she said.

To make drinking water a little easier, Teague suggests adding simple flavor enhancers like lemon, lime, or water flavoring drops. “Those little different kinds of flavored waters, the Crystal Light-type things, or even just a little lemon or lime in there to give it something can normally entice a kid,” she said.

Many schools already require students to bring a water bottle, and Teague says that habit should continue over the summer.

For parents looking to keep their kids healthy and energized, a little creativity, and a lot of water, can go a long way.