The Australian government estimates that 1 in 6 children aged between 4 and 15 years are overweight. One in 14 in this age range were obese before the COVID-19 pandemic started, making it even more urgent to counter the harmful trend of "too much sitting" and not enough active play and exercise. Once we moved into the revolution of virtual education and work, this disrupted children's bedtimes, disrupted mealtimes, and increased their levels of stress. All of these factors affect (and continue to affect) children's health.
According to the Australian Government, children between 2 and 5 should not spend more than one hour in front of a screen each day. And, children under two should not watch any television or other screens at all.
Children aged 5 to 12 should spend no more than 2 hours a day in front of a screen for entertainment, including television, seated electronic games, portable electronic devices or computers.
Australia is one of the few countries where 4 out of 5 children don't get the 60 minutes of physical activity they require each day. The more physically active your child becomes, the more likely they are to remain active and healthy throughout their lives.
When it comes to our children, we caregivers and parents want what’s best for them, but when it comes to activity levels, we don't necessarily know what's right! Making exercise FUN and just being ACTIVE is actually easy to do, when you do it all together!
The following ways can help us parents and caregivers ensure our kids are getting the right amount of activity:
1. Lead by example: Parents that are active themselves set a good example for their children. Having fun while being active will teach kids the importance of MOVING in every part of your daily life ...
3. Get the whole family involved: There are plenty of ways to get the whole family involved in being active. One way is to make it a rule that everyone walks the dog together every day, no matter what the weather! Family activities can be a great way to get everyone moving and stay healthy and happy while spending quality time together.
4. Make it fun: Kids are more likely to be active if they’re enjoying themselves. Choose activities that your child likes and make them as fun as possible.
5. Enrol them in a sport or dance class that meets once or twice a week – this will give them something to look forward to and help them stay motivated. Remember to get them involved in a sport they enjoy. If they’re having fun, they’ll be more likely to stick with it.
7. Get them outside: One of the best ways to get kids away from screens is to simply get them outside. Let them run around in the yard, go for a scooter or bike ride, or even just take a walk around the block. The fresh air and physical activity will do them good and they’ll be less likely to want to sit in front of a screen when they’re done.
Sprite Neochrome is the first of its kind with smart LED wheels that use induction energy to create bright white light as kids ride.
The BERG Biky Cross has a striking appearance with it’s two tone gold-anodised front forks & off road tyres. It’s the ultimate in safety & comfort. Learning to ride a bike is quite the challenge at a young age, so give your child the safest opportunity to practice balance & co-ordination. They will build confidence and be able to lift those little feet in no time!
Take outside and watch the colours spin as the wind powers it's movements. Colourful fun for everyday play!
Wahu - Beach Soccer Ball The Wahu Soccer ball is for dribbling and passing at the beach, the lake, the park, or in your own backyard. With a waterproof neoprene skin, this soccer ball won't disappoint regardless of weather conditions. Fill the internal air bladder to your liking and let the "beautiful game" begin!
Wahu - Mega Slide 7.5m Long Kids will love racing each other down this massive 7.5m Super Slide. The continuous water spray means you'll be zooming down the slide and into the plash bumper in no time! This is the ultimate backyard toy!
Eurotrike - Plasmacar Red Turn the steering wheel and AWAY YOU GO! The PlasmaCar uses the most inexhuastible of energy sources - kid power. With no batteries, gears, or pedals, the natural forces of inertia, centrifugal force, gravity, and friction are harnessed to propel children forward.
Perform your own magic show!
Amaze your friends and family with the 12 magic tricks included in this kit.
Waboba - Wingman Silicon Disc When you’re ready to fly, you’ve got a Waboba Wingman in the sky. With its unique aerodynamic design, it flies straight and far, and doesn’t veer off course to leave you or your partner hanging. Like any Wingman should! Ready to go anywhere you want to go. Just fold it up and stick it in your pocket.
Hape - Gearhead Stunt Garage The two-level station features a jail cell with opening door, an office, a helicopter with its own landing pad, a police car with parking space, one police officer, one prisoner and loads of police equipment accessories – even a police dog!
Kinderfeets - Tiny Tot Plus Trike Silver Sage is a larger version of the popular Tiny Tot, our 2-in-1 bike that easily converts from a tricycle to a 2-wheel balance bike.
When it comes to keeping kids active, there are many different approaches that parents can take. Some may find success in enrolling their kids in sports, while others may prefer a more hands-on approach. Regardless of the method, the most important thing is to find what works for your family and stick with it.
There are so many benefits to keeping kids active ... not only does it promote physical health, but it also has been shown to improve mental well-being and academic performance. Additionally, it can help reduce stress and anxiety levels and promote social skills and teamwork.
The bottom line is that there are many advantages to incorporating activity into your child’s life. By finding what works best for your family, you can set your child up for a lifetime of success.
Resources:
national-obesity-strategy-2022-2032-at-a-glance-summary-with-a-logic-framework_0.pdf
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/benefits-of-physical-activity-for-children