Being active is fun for all the family. Research shows that children whose parents are active are more than 5 times as likely to be active than those whose parents are not. Below are some ideas and links to websites that will give you info about how to get started. If you are still stuck for ideas after looking at the links below you can always visit sites like dayout.ie, fundays.ie or ni4kids.com.
Walking is a great way to build up to your daily activity target. Whether, it is round your local park, a forest trail or something more adventurous in the countryside. All you need is a good pair of shoes or runners and clothes that will keep you warm and dry.
http://www.walkireland.ie/ and www.walkni.com have lots of routes and information about walking throughout the country.
The Irish Heart Foundation has information about the Slí na Sláinte walks. These are routes around towns that are signposted and ideal if you want to get out of the office for 40 minutes at lunch time or have half an hour to spare in the evening. You can download the routes from the Irish Heart Foundation Website.
The Fáilte Ireland website www.discoverireland.ie/walking has over 70 routes all around the country. It is not just for tourists, it is a great source of information about other activities through out the country.
Coilte has over 10 forest parks and 150 recreation sites around Ireland. Most of the recreation sites have forest trails to suit all ages. The forest parks have a wide range of activities that will keep the whole family entertained. Take a picnic and you can easily find things to keep you busy for the whole day. http://www.coillteoutdoors.ie/
For families with older children orienteering can be great fun www.ecotrailsni.com
Swimming is a great way to get active particularly if it’s wet outside. You can find contact details for a swimming pool in your area by looking in the golden pages or on the golden pages website
Discover Ireland has around 20 cycling routes and www.cycleni.com is a great resource for routes in Northern Ireland.
Ireland has some of the best beaches in Europe. If you live close to a beach, and many people do, they are a great place to spend an activity packed day. Soccer, hurling, paddling, building sandcastles and kite flying are fun for the whole family and you can take along a healthy picnic which means you can stay out for the whole day. Most city or county council websites will have information about beaches in your area. Irish Water Safety has a list of beaches that have are manned by life guards during the summer months and Discover Northern Ireland has a list of beaches in Northern Ireland.
There are parks in most towns around Ireland. They are great places for the whole family to get active whether it is kicking a ball, throwing a Frisbee or playing on of our active games.
You’d be surprised how just getting out into the fresh air encourages children to run around, many of the heritage sites and castles around the country have large open areas where the kids can burn off some energy. Many sites have walking trails so the whole family can get active. You can find out more about places of interest in your area on the Heritage Ireland website www.heritageireland.ie
Getting children involved in organised sport is a great way to set them on the road to being active right through to adult hood. Most sports have associations that can put you in contact with your local club. If you want to find out more about sport in your local area you can contact your Local Sports Partnership or the get a life get active campaign website in Northern Ireland. Look out for sporting summer camps in July and August organised by sporting organisations such as the FAI and GAA. Summerfun4kids.co.uk provides information about summer camps in Northern Ireland
You can find information about getting involved in a range of sports from the National Associations or governing bodies. Find links for a range of sporting organisations here.
Sport NI and The Irish Sports council have lots of information about sport throughout the Island of Ireland.
Housework has to be done whatever the weather. Encourage your kids to help with jobs around the house, such as washing the floor or hoovering. Turn the jobs into a competition to encourage them to work up a sweat.
Login to Add StepTurn on some tunes and let the whole family bop 'till they drop. Invest in a cheap set of disco lights and take turns at being DJ.
Login to Add StepJust because the sun has gone it doesn't mean you can't go to the beach. Wrap up well and try an activity like flying a kite.
Login to Add StepBe a role model for your children - if they see you being active and enjoying it they will be more likely to model your behaviour.
Login to Add StepBuy a local map and go for family cycles or walks every weekend. Make it more interesting by choosing somewhere new to explore every time.
Login to Add StepSwimming is a great activity for the whole family at all times of year. You might not be setting Olympic records but it will still help you and your children towards your daily amount.
Login to Add StepDo active jobs together at home such as hoovering, sweeping, or raking the leaves. If your children have a competitive streak, have a race to see who can get finished their jobs first.
Login to Add StepCheck out your local community or leisure centre for winter classes and activities such as aerobics, badminton, table tennis, basketball, dancing, martial arts, cub scouts or youth clubs.
Login to Add StepPlayground games such as hopscotch, tag or hide and seek are all good activities. Teach your kids the rules and join in yourself. Once they know the rules they can teach their friends how to play.
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Ask your child about what activities and games they enjoy in school, PE, or in the playground - and maybe you can try them at home.
Login to Add StepDo active jobs together at home such as hoovering, sweeping, or raking the leaves. If your children have a competitive streak, have a race to see who can get finished their jobs first.
Login to Add StepGet more movement into your mopping by playing some energetic music while you work. You'll also get finished in double-quick time!
Login to Add StepTeach your children how to play traditional games, such as hide and seek, tip the can, red rover, tag and hopscotch. You'll all have fun! Find out how to play here
Login to Add StepPlayground games such as hopscotch, tag or hide and seek are all good activities. Teach your kids the rules and join in yourself. Once they know the rules they can teach their friends how to play.
Login to Add StepIf you have a garden, set aside a patch for your child and let them design and plant their own garden. Digging, weeding and watering all help build in extra activity throughout the day.
Login to Add StepCheck out your local community or leisure centre for winter classes and activities such as aerobics, badminton, table tennis, basketball, dancing, martial arts, cub scouts or youth clubs.
Login to Add StepDog owners live longer, research shows*, and it's down to regular "walkies" and throwing sticks in the park.
Login to Add StepThere are lots of walks all around the country for people of all ages, so get to know routes that are close to you. See here for more information. Make sure you have the right clothes and you won't notice the weather.
Login to Add StepRemember, there's no such thing as unsuitable weather - just unsuitable clothing. Wear layers and get a waterproof jacket. A hi-vis vest will help drivers spot you when you are out and about.
Login to Add Step Let your children have some choice in what their snack foods are. If you agree this with them it will be easier to stick to the plan during the week.
Login to Add StepVariety is the name of the game with healthy eating and it's great fun trying out new foods together. The more new foods that children are introduced to the more likely they are to have a varied diet.
Login to Add StepAsk the butcher to trim off any visible fat. Small servings of lean meat deliver all the nutrients you need and you save money on the extra weight!
Login to Add StepLearn to read food labels, and take advantage of information that will help you make healthy shopping choices. Compare like for like products and choose those that are lower in fat, salt and sugar.
Login to Add StepAll types of vegetables count towards our 5-a-day - fresh, frozen and canned. Get some for your cupboard to use when fresh supplies are low or worse for wear.
Login to Add StepGet some canned and dried nutritious foods for your kitchen cupboard. You can rustle up a healthy meal in minutes with tinned fish and tomatoes, pasta and dried herbs. Or baked beans on toast - super fast and protein packed!
Login to Add StepIt's never a good idea to shop on an empty stomach. You're more likely to rush things, make poor choices and go for a quick sugar fix by picking up an unhealthy snack.
Login to Add StepWrite a shopping list before you go, then stick to it as you shop. Planning your meals for the coming week will help you put the list together.
Login to Add StepIs it mostly filled with starchy foods, fruit and vegetables? If not restore some balance by adding some.
Login to Add Step Adding butter, margarine or dairy spread to our bread is something we tend to do automatically. But it's worth asking yourself whether you really need the spread? If you're adding mayonnaise, relish or other sauces to a sandwich, then you probably don't. Opt for one or the other, and go for lower-fat spreads like tomato relish when available.
Login to Add StepThe more foods your child is exposed to at an early age, the more balanced his or her diet will be.
Login to Add StepStock up on peaches, pears, and other fruits tinned in their own juice - they make a great addition to porridge, muesli and breakfast cereals.
Login to Add StepA small glass of unsweetened fruit juice with breakfast equals one of your 5-a-day portions of fruit and vegetables. More than one glass a day still only counts as one portion.
Login to Add StepThere's always a way of getting more fruit or veg into your child's lunch! Add salad to sandwiches or cut up some raw veggie sticks for their lunchbox.
Login to Add StepWhen all that is available for children is things like chicken nuggets and chips don't be afraid to ask for a small portion of healthier adult options.
Login to Add StepFruit is naturally sweet and makes a great dessert. Mix some seasonal fruits together or pop some apple or pear in tin foil into the oven while dinner is cooking.
Login to Add StepA cooked breakfast can actually be healthy. Add some veggies like mushrooms, tomatoes and baked beans, and go easy on the meat. You'll cut down on the fat content of the meal while getting in some of your 5-a-day of fruit and vegetables.
Login to Add StepMarinate fresh lean meats like lean beef, lamb or chicken using your own home-made marinades rather than ready-made sauces. You'll cut down on the calorie content of the meal, as well as on sugar and salt. Try fresh coriander and lime juice as a marinade - it's delicious!
Login to Add StepPotatoes, rice, bread and pasta form a big part of any meal. So do your best to choose well - go for the wholegrain or wholemeal varieties when you can.
Login to Add Step Limit unhealthy treats to a few times each week and make sure you give them after meals rather than on their own between meals. You could reduce the size to a small packet of crisps or a "fun size" chocolate bar.
Login to Add StepNuts provide a healthy snack for children and there are lots of varieties that children can try. There are no preparation requirements and they provide a nutritional, filling snack for all the family. (Note: whole nuts should not be given to children under 5 years of age.)
Login to Add StepUnsweetened cereal with milk is a snack the whole family can prepare themselves and enjoy anytime. Experiment by adding fruit, like bananas or berries.
Login to Add StepWhether we are at school, work or play we need to drink regularly. Having a water bottle handy will help remind you and the family to drink regularly.
Login to Add StepReward your children with a comic or book instead of sweets or crisps. Other rewards could include an outing to the park or swimming pool or just some time playing with you.
Login to Add StepPopcorn is low in fat and it contains fibre for healthy digestion. Popping your own takes only a couple of minutes, and you can omit salt. What could be easier?
Login to Add StepFor the whole family, why not try a mug of cold or warm milk after school or other snack times. Use low fat or semi-skimmed milk for a fabulous calcium boost.
Login to Add StepWe're often starving after school or work, and it's so easy to pick up some crisps or chocolate. Try fresh fruit instead - you can buy different types for everyday to add lots of variety. You can also chop fruit and vegetables into pieces and store in a plastic bag or container to have on the go.
Login to Add StepMilk and water are healthiest. If you drink juice, choose real fruit juice not juice drinks. These have lots of added sugar and very little real fruit. Avoid tooth decay by drinking juice with meals and for young children ideally dilute one part juice to 10 parts water.
Login to Add StepWholemeal scone pieces topped lightly with spread makes a great simple snack for the whole family. Why not top with sliced banana or cheese.
Login to Add Step Turn off the TV during mealtimes - better still, don't have a TV in the kitchen or dining area.
Login to Add StepTV viewing and computer games can be addictive, so limit your children's screen time to 2 hours a day.
Login to Add StepGet your children outdoors during daylight hours. Sunshine provides vitamins they need to grow healthily, and playing outside keeps them active.
Login to Add StepDon't put a TV or computer in your child's bedroom. Children with screens in their rooms get less exercise, interact less with their families, have poorer diets and get less sleep.
Login to Add StepGet in the habit of planning your TV viewing. You'll find it easier to take control and monitor how much time your family is spending in front of the TV.
Login to Add StepYour children will do as you do, so take stock of your own viewing habits and, if you need to, cut down on your own screen time too.
Login to Add StepInstead of buying a set for each member of the family - find programmes that the whole family likes to watch.
Login to Add StepThink of fun things that your family will prefer to do instead of flopping on the sofa. How about a family walk after dinner instead of turning on the TV? Or cancelling the cable or satellite subscription and putting the money towards a special holiday instead?
Login to Add StepMost people go into munching autopilot when they're distracted by the TV and don't realise when they're full. It's better if your children don't get into this habit.
Login to Add StepDon't keep the TV on in the background - if no one's watching, turn it off.
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