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Follow these tips to get kids active - and keep them active - in all weather

Encouraging kids to be active is about more than just having fun; it is about keeping them healthy and helping them live longer. Lack of physical activity contributes to unhealthy weight gain. Childhood obesity is on the rise so it is important to keep kids moving all year round.

. Be silly. Let younger children see how much fun you can have while being active. Run like a gorilla. Walk like a spider. Hop like a bunny. Stretch like a cat.

. Get in the game. Play catch, get the whole family involved in a game of tag or have a jump-rope contest. Try classic movement games such as "Simon says" or "Red light, green light". If you don't remember the rules, make up your own.

. Count your chores. You might even make chores a friendly challenge. Who can pull the most weeds out of the vegetable garden? Who can collect the most litter in the neighborhood? Who can shovel the craziest path in the snow?

. Try an activity party. For your child's next birthday, schedule a bowling party, take the kids to a climbing wall or set up relay races in the backyard. Even some of the new video games are interactive, involve dancing and kids love them.

. Put your kids in charge. Let each child take a turn choosing the activity of the day or week. Batting cages, bowling and fast food play areas all count. What matters is that you are doing something active.

Canada's Physical Activity Guides for Children (ages 6-9) and Youth (ages 10-14) recommends the following:

. Increase time currently spent on physical activity by 30 minutes per day and progress to 90 minutes per day.

. Physical activity can be accumulated in periods of five to 10 minutes.

. The 90-minute increase in physical activity should include 60 minutes of moderate activity and 30 minutes of vigorous activity.

. Combine endurance, flexibility, and strength activities to achieve the best results.

. Reduce screen time, starting with 30 minutes daily and progressing to 90 minutes daily.

Concerned Children's Advertisers has recently launched a program entitled "Long Live Kids" that provides tools and tips to parents, educators and even directly to kids to get more active and eat better. Visit www.cca-kids.ca for more information.

More tips and tools are available in the Public Health Agency of Canada's Physical Activity Guide for Children and Youth available at www.paguide.com.

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www.newscanada.com