With the wide-spread use of cell phones and video games, it can be hard to pull kids away from the screen. Although it's difficult, getting your children to be active is important for their overall health. Exercise prevents your child from developing health risks down the line including, obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Listed below are 5 ideas you can use to get your kids on track to a healthier life.

1. Purchase video games that will get them moving.

Whether you have a Wii or Xbox console, there are a plenty of game titles that you’ll want to get your hands on. It’s an entertaining way to get some great exercise, especially when outdoor activity isn’t an option. Wii Sports is a popular game that’s fun to play with the whole family. It includes tennis, baseball, and even boxing. If you own the Xbox 360, Kinect Sports offers all of the same dynamics as the Wii version, but with added features like soccer and track.

2. Invest in a trampoline for hours of flips and tricks.

Back in the day, everyone wanted to be friends with the kid who had a trampoline in their backyard. There is something so freeing about bouncing up in the air, and it’s also great exercise. The best part about owning a trampoline is that your kids can have fun within eye-shot of your back door. Trampolines have been recommended for fitness purposes by doctors and coaches for decades. In fact, Trampolines are used by NASA to train astronauts, which is an out-of-this-world detail to get your kids interested.

3. Create an obstacle course in your own backyard.

Set up an obstacle course with little to no money at all. There are plenty of ideas you can pull from online, but here are a few to help you start brainstorming. Lay a ladder or hula hoops in the grass for the kids to run through, but remind them to step carefully! Find some yarn to string between two trees and see who can get through the “lasers” the quickest. Create a balancing beam with scrap wood. Be sure to smooth it out to prevent splinters!

4. Gift them with a fun kick scooter.

Remember when scooters were all the rage in the early 2000s? Well, they’re still here and just as fun as ever. It's a great alternative to biking, and it adjusts to your child’s growing height, meaning they’ll be putting it to use for years to come. There are plenty of brands and colors to choose from, so why not take your child to pick out their own? Make sure you don't purchasing an electric scooter. Your child won’t get any exercise out of a scooter that pushes itself!

5. Join in on the fun.

As parents, it can be difficult to find the time to play with our children between work and other obligations, but it is important to make time, even if it’s only for an hour. You too can partake in any of the activities listed above. Lead by example and your children will follow. Race them on foot while they speed off on their scooter, or challenge them to a game of Wii Sports. Engagement is key!