Remember when kids played outside? What happened to active play?

​I remember being a kid and spending most of my free time outside playing.  I’d be in the backyard playing with friends or in the driveway playing basketball.  My parents would literally need to drag me in the house for dinner.  Nowadays, all you need to do in order to find your child is walk over to the couch or their bedroom and you’ll find them glued to some sort of technology – television, video games, tablets, smartphones, computers, laptops, etc.  Kids need mental and physical stimulation.  Neither of these involves sitting and watching meaningless television shows and texting friends for hours.
 
Technology wasn’t really part of my life growing up and more than likely, it wasn’t for you either.  I didn’t get my own phone until I was able to drive.  And technology for me was waiting half a day for my AOL dial-up connection so I could get online before someone would call on the phone and disconnect me from the internet. 
 
Yet, kids these days are getting smartphones before they’re even 10.  It’s insane.  And unfortunately, technology is causing children to become lazy, sedentary, and overweight.  They are glued to technology.  With less “active” play time, parents are finding their kids are holding onto quite a bit of weight.  So, what’s the answer?
 
1.Limit technology time:  Just because you have it, doesn’t mean they need to being using it all the time.  Limit their use to a reasonable amount of time (maybe an hour a day). 
 
2.Create more active play time:  Don’t allow your kids to be sedentary.  In fact, you should be leading by example.  Show your children that active play (exercise) is fun.  Go run around the yard with your kids.  If your children enjoy sports, take them to the soccer field, basketball court, tennis court, wherever, and engage in active play. 
 
It’s extremely important for children to engage in active play.  It not only improves their health, strength, and stamina, but it also improves their mental health as well.  Be the role model you want for your children and help conform healthy and active habits within your own home.
 
 
Author:  Matt Weik, BS, CSCS, CPT, CSN – Strong Kid Project Content Director
 
Matt Weik is the Founder/Owner of Weik Fitness, LLC and is a well-respected fitness expert/author with a global following.  His work has been featured in over 85 fitness magazines and over 2,000 websites.  In addition, he’s a certified strength and conditioning specialist, personal trainer, and sports nutritionist.