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Take your kids to the pool, climbing wall and skateboard park.
Encourage physical activities with friends. As Dr. Gavin notes, friends are very important during the preteen years, so encourage your child to buddy up. Offer to take your preteen and her friend to the climbing wall or to play tennis. Include your child's friends on a family hike. Kids are more likely to go along and enjoy a hike if their friend is along.
Engage in physical activities as a family. Dr. Gavin suggests having a joint tennis or golf lesson, but be prepared to lose graciously.
Have fun with your kids. Go out to the yard and do silly walks. Rowdy hopping, zigging zagging and giant lunges are good exercise and fun while waiting for the bus or trying to entertain a younger brother or sister.
Stop at the park on the way home from school.
Plan an active vacation. It may include hiking, skiing, water sports or biking.
Don't spoil everything. Support your kids rather than being their toughest critic. "Putting kids down discourages their participation in physical activity," Calibrese says.
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