As we approach the middle of June, children across the country are yelling cheers of glee as they complete yet another school year and get ready for all that summer has to offer - from family vacations to camp and more. So we thought we'd take a brief opportunity to remind parents and other caregivers  about the importance of making sure our kids exercise their minds and their bodies over the summer months.

Regular physical activity is an essential part of maintaining a healthy weight and living a balanced lifestyle.  While organized activities, such as soccer practice or swimming lessons, are great ways to make sure our children are getting their daily dose of physical activity, take a moment to also enjoy unplanned activities.  Taking a family bike ride, or even having a game of flag football in the backyard, can be just as much fun – and also provide an opportunity for families to spend quality time together while burning off some calories.

For easy – and fun - tips on ways to exercise as a family, check out this article from Parents Magazine.