Another great way to get kids outside and keep them active is to help them create an obstacle course in the yard. Running, jumping, and climbing are great ways for kids to stay in shape and to have fun.
Start by marking out your course. You can use brightly colored yarn or string for an outline as well as a starting point and a finish line. Select items from around the home and yard that are safe to use and are not likely to cause injury.
Position items so children have to run around them or climb over, under, or through them. Boxes work great as tunnels, and a low bench is perfect for the G.I. crawl. You can use hula-hoops or circles of string instead of tires and have each child place one foot in the circles on each side as he or she goes through the course.
Add a jump rope to the mix and have each child stop to jump ten times, or have each child stop and throw the basket ball five times or until he or she makes a basket.
If you have a swing set in your yard, you might want to the end the obstacle course by having children slide down the slide. If you have a sandbox, end by having children make a long jump into the sand, or use your sprinkler and have each child run through it to pass the finish line. Use your imagination to incorporate available items into the obstacle course.
You can make the course as simple or as challenging as you like, but it will depend in large part on the age of your children. If your children vary in age, or if friends drop by with children that are older or younger than your own, you might want to set up separate courses for big kids and small kids.
Children can have relay races with teams of friends, or you can time each child as he or she tackles the obstacle course. The team that has all players returned to the starting line first, or the child who finishes in the least amount of time, wins.