Now is a great time to encourage everyone in the family to move more! The kids are back in school after the holiday and everyone is eager for "new beginnings." The cold weather may keep you indoors, but when the sun shines, it beckons everyone to get outside!

The family that exercises together has more fun. And there is less cause for concern about couch potatoes, obesity, and over-consumption of junk food.

Even as we wring our hands about overweight families and too much “screen time” for everyone, many experts agree that finding an antidote can and should be a family affair.

This does not have to mean gym memberships for all, or group training for the next big road race. You don't have to take up an expensive sport such as skiiing, but it does mean making a commitment to get everyone moving — and loving it!

20 Ideas for Family Fitness

1. Dance together
2. Walk the dog together
3. Weather permitting, run or jog together
4. Ride bikes together
5. Locate accessible hiking and biking trails and use them
6. Play tag in the snow  
7. Take up juggling as a family
8. Jump rope
9. Go to the park for a walk.
10. Go on a nature walk
11. Build a snowman
12. Visit the roller rink
13. Visit the ice skating rink
14. Swim in the local indoor pool 
15. Play driveway basketball
16. Play pick-up soccer
17. Go sledding together
18. Ski or snow board
19. Find an indoor rock climbing wall and try it
20. Have a friendly snowball fight! 

As a quick perusal of the 20 ideas listed here illustrates, there are numerous activities families can do together to have fun and get some exercise at the same time. Sure, there’s a big difference between planning a day-long hiking trip and taking a walk along a beach, but both have a place in a family’s life. And both can be fun.

The important thing is to work these activities into your daily and weekly life. Don’t make it a one-time thing to crank up the music and dance with your kids through the house, or to toss a ball around in a nearby park.

If you think about taking advantage of these and other opportunties whenever possible, everyone will be happier and more active.

Encouraging your kids to move, joining them in activities, and making these outings part of family life is a good way for everyone to keep fit. And doing so suggests to kids that physical activity is a natural and pleasurable part of life.