Can Exercise Be Fun?

Exercise and fun are two words you usually don't find in the same sentence, but if you're trying to get your kids to exercise, you know that finding something fun is essential for keeping them healthy and active. Schools are taking advantage of what we know about getting kids to exercise, namely that it has to be fun...something us adults often forget. In a New York Times article, P.E. Classes Turn to Video Game That Works Legs, one class in Morgantown, West Virginia was spotlighted because they offered Dance Dance Revolution to the kids during P.E. class. The result? The kids "sprinted past the ghosts of Gym Class Past toward two TV sets looming over square plastic mats on the floor. In less than a minute a dozen seventh graders were dancing in furiously kinetic union..."

I only wish they'd had that kind of thing when I was a kid and busy with activities like square dancing and dodge ball (man, am I old). It's great the hear that schools are stepping up and trying to find ways for kids to have fun in an active way. If you're looking for more ideas, below are some articles written by our esteemed Health & Fitness Guides at About.com to help you get started:

• Get Your Teen to Exercise
• Exercise and Fitness for Kids
• Teenagers and Exercise
• Getting Your Child Involved in Exercise

Do you have more ideas for getting kids a little more active? Leave your suggestions in comments and let us know how you keep your kids on the move.