The struggle is real. With long school days, nightly homework, and the lure of video games, finding ways to stay healthy and active as a family can sometimes be a challenge. This is why I love searching for FUN gifts for kids that will encourage a healthy and active lifestyle.

Lacy Ngo, MS, RDN is the author of several books including The Nourishing Meal Builder,  The Nourishing Meal Builder: the Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Edition, Faith, Mindfulness, & Nutrition, and Mindfulness in Faith and Freezer Meals.

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After searching and trying out several products, these are my list of…

Top Gifts for Kids that Encourage a Healthy and Active Life

1. Healthy Kids Cookbooks

With ample convenient foods and busy schedules, many are cooking less and less. Many kids are no longer learning how to cook from their parents. Moreover, cooking classses are often no longer offered in schools. For some, cooking skills have become a lost art. And yet according to the American Journal of Prevenative Medicine, being able to cook and consume homecooked meals may be a key factor in nutrition resilience. In fact, accrding to a study done by The British Journal of Nutrition, teaching others how to cook may be more effective than nutriton education.

With that being said, I want to get my kids cooking with me more. So I thought it might be fun to pick up a few fun healthy cooking children’s books (Click on the images below to find the books):

  

2. Fun Outdoor games for the Whole Family!

Portable Games Sets

My family likes to keep a set like the Franklin Sports Yard Games Combo Set  on hand. I love that all these game fit into a bag so that you can take them with you to a park, the beach, or your own backyard.

Giant Bucketball (aka Giant Beer Pong, but without the Beer)

My. Kids. LOVE.this.game! You can make this game yourself by purchasing  12 buckets and 2 bouncy balls or you can purchase the game here: BucketBall – Beach Edition Starter Pack – Ultimate Beach, Poolside, Backyard, Camping, Tailgate, Outdoor Game – Includes 12 BucketBall Buckets, 2 Hybrid Balls, Tote Bag, Instructions

Fun Little Toys 10 Pack Giant Wand Bubble Set

And… Bubble sets are great for endless fun!!!! We always try to stay stocked on fun sets like this one all year round!

3. Sports Gear

And of course, you really can’t go wrong when you get your child’s favorite sports equipment. Anything from basketball goals, soccer balls, bats, rackets, or footballs. These are classics for a reason…because kids love them!

Basketball Goals

I like the portable goals with the slanted stands like the Spalding NBA Portable Basketball System – 54″ Acrylic Backboard. When the top of the stand is at an angle the stand doesn’t get in your way when you are playing ball.

Portable Soccer Goals

I love this set because it comes with goals AND cones!

GoSports Portable Pop Up Soccer Goals for Backyard – Kids & Adults – Set of 2 Nets with Agility Training Cones and Carrying Case (Choose from 2.5′, 4′ and 6′ sizes)

Football Goal Posts

Yes!!! Nothing like a pick up game of football. Talk about making family memories.

Franklin Sports Youth Football Goal Post Set

4. Indoor/Outdoor Active Games

Scavenger Hunts or Even Better the Treasure Hunt Game

I just purchased the Gotrovo Treasure Hunt Game Indoor Outdoor DIY Educational Activity for Kids Learn through Fun – 100 Clue Cards, Treasure Map, Treasure Bar, Gold Coins and Loot Bag for my son. I am so excited about this purchase. My kids get so excited about scavenger hunts and when you add a treasure map…I mean, come on…this is awesome! I also use this game when I want to give my kids a surprise birthday or Christmas gift. They find the “treasure” aka gift at the end of the game!

Mr. Potato Head Hot Dash Game

The Mr. Potato Head Hot Dash Game is NOT your ordinary Hot Potato game. This game gets you moving! In Mr. Potato Head Hot Dash Game, you have to get to the household object on the cards before the song ends. (FYI, you can play the original Hot Potato Game with this set as well for days when you don’t feel like being as active.) This is one of my kids favorite games!

Peaceable Kingdom / Feed the Woozle Preschool Skills Builder Game

Peaceable Kingdom / Feed the Woozle Preschool Skills Builder Game is another game my family owns and loves. We have had this game for years, and we still regularly play it! Its silly and gets you moving. What’s not to love!

5. Riding Toys

Isn’t a bike one of those dream presents? Bikes and riding toys are the ultimate gift for many kids. Here are a few of my favorite riding toys and accessories.

Royalbaby RB12B-6B BMX Freestyle Kids Bike, Boy’s Bikes and Girl’s Bikes with training wheels, Gifts for children, 12 inch wheels, Blue

Wipeout Dry Erase Kids’ Ski and Snowboard Helmet, Black, Ages 8+

Royalbaby RB16B-6P BMX Freestyle Kids Bike, Boy’s Bikes and Girl’s Bikes with Training Wheels, Gifts for Children, 16 inch Wheels, Pink

Ride Along Dolly Doll Bike Seat with Decorate Yourself Decals (Fits American Girl and Standard Sized Dolls and Stuffed Animals) Pink

6. Fun Plates and Trays that Promote Tasting New Food

Fred DINNER WINNER Kids’ Dinner Tray, Enchanted Forest and Fun Kids Dinner Plate Home Run Baseball Themed | Your Kids Will Eat Better | Be A Winner & Hit A Home Run At Breakfast Lunch & Dinner. Promotes Healthy Eating!

My kids eat these family freezer meals as well. They loved them AFTER they decided to try them. My kids don’t like trying anything new, but these Kids’ Dinner Trays turns eating into a fun game!

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