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
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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 
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
Portable Soccer Goals
I love this set because it comes with goals AND cones!
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
Mr. Potato Head Hot Dash Game
The Mr. Potato Head Hot Dash Game
Peaceable Kingdom / Feed the Woozle Preschool Skills Builder Game
Peaceable Kingdom / Feed the Woozle Preschool Skills Builder Game
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.
Wipeout Dry Erase Kids’ Ski and Snowboard Helmet, Black, Ages 8+
6. Fun Plates and Trays that Promote Tasting New Food
Fred DINNER WINNER Kids’ Dinner Tray, Enchanted Forest
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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Ultimate Gift List for the Health and Fitness Fanatic
The Ultimate Gift List for the Christian Soul
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Love these ideas! Thanks for sharing this great list. It can be hard to figure out what USEFUL gifts to give kids – thanks Lacy!
Great ideas for Christmas. I bet there are a lot of people who would love to have these things. I haven’t seen a lot of these toys. I am so happy they have something to keep Mr. Potatohead 2.0. He’s my favorite.
What a wonderful selection any kid would love!
What great ideas… with Christmas around the corner this list will come in super handy!!
So many cute gift ideas. I wish I were a kid again and someone (or many ones) gifted them to me. 🙂 The cook-book idea is simply great. Never though about it. Would do it in my nephew’s B’day for sure.
The dry erase helmet looks like so much fun! I love these gift ideas, I have two MUCH younger siblings and I like to encourage them to live an active lifestyle instead of just playing video games all the time.
Great post! My kids are teenagers now, but we’ve always been active from the time they were little. Anything to get them off their electronics makes me happy 🙂
I love the cookbooks the best!! I think those are such great ideas!
What great gift ideas! It is never too early to start thinking about Christmas! I love this list!!
All of these look so fun! Such great ideas for the upcoming holiday season!
This is a great list! I love that it’s not just about the toy, but about encouraging activity and learning… we need more of this.
These are great (and adorable) ideas! As a food blogger, I love seeing those cookbooks geared to kids!
Omg the basketball hoop would be perfect for my roommates daughter! She loves playing basketball at recess but she just comes home and sits on her ipad all evening lol
These are all SUCH great ideas! Loving them – have to pass this along to my sister in law!
This is a great gift guide! I love anything that takes a child outdoors – exercise and fresh air 🙂
Oh my gosh, I love this list, especially the treasure hunt game!!!! I’ll definitely be looking into a lot of these 🙂 Thanks!!!
One of our favorite games!!!
Such awesome ideas! I always loved outdoor games as a kid. We all had bikes, a basketball hoop, soccer net, horseshoes, etc. It made being outside so much more fun (back in the day when kids didn’t spend their day on an iPad haha).
It’s hard to believe it’s almost time for the holidays! These are some great ideas!
So many great ideas! I can’t wait until I can cook with my son!
These are some fantastic choices!! Almost makes me wish my kiddos were littles again… almost! I wanted to know what is currently popular for this age group, so this is a great resource!