The benefits of spending time together as a family are innumerable, and the benefits of exercise are irrefutable. So why not combine the two and keep your family healthy and connected?

Getting kids moving from a young age will set them on the road to healthy long-term habits. It’s also a lot easier to get motivated for activities that the whole family can enjoy together. Exercise doesn’t have to be a chore endured on your own; it can be a great way to bond as a family.

Here are three ways to get the whole family out and active:

Start simple. Walk instead of drive whenever possible. Take an after dinner stroll around the neighbourhood. If your child is young, push them in the stroller or put them in a carrier. Set an example for an active lifestyle early on. As children get older and more mobile, get a pedometer and keep a log on the fridge of the distance you have covered each week.

A game of tag or red rover will get everyone’s heart rate up. Or consider doing a charity run together as a family. Pick a cause that is meaningful to all of you and train together. This way you not only teach your children the importance of exercise, but also the value of doing something for others.

Ride-on toys will get little ones moving and keep parents busy chasing them down. Graduating to trikes and bikes is a natural progression – take a ride to the library or to the park on the weekend. Planning your rides together will keep everyone interested and engaged.

Being active as a family is an opportunity to strengthen bonds and make memories that will last a lifetime. Find activities that appeal to the whole family and include them as part of your routine. Make it fun, make it easy and make it a priority.