Think Outside the Box for Family Game Night

Lots of families set aside one night a week to play games — charades, cards, you name it. Why not think outside the box for your next family game night? Instead of pulling out a board game, do something physically active together.

Nearly half of all young people 12 to 21 years old do not engage in regular vigorous activity. As a result, the number of obese children and teens has nearly doubled during the past two decades—putting them at increased risk for diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. They're also more likely to be sedentary adults.

Grab the kids and shoot some hoops in the driveway or bat around a whiffle ball. Play a game of tag or have a jump rope contest. On a hot night, head to the local pool and start up a game of Marco Polo or water volleyball.

If you can't get outside, challenge your kids to a few rounds of an exercise-based video game like Dance Dance Revolution or the Wii Fit. These games are so good at getting the heart pumping that schools across the US are even using them in PE class.

Incorporating exercise into family traditions is a great way to spend quality time together while doing something good for your body, too.

Plus, the family that plays together... has a lot of fun!

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