Active play is important for so many reasons. Physical activity in babies, toddlers and preschoolers brings physical benefits such as increased muscle strength, coordination and bone density. Along with obvious exercise benefits, active play every day encourages children to make it part of their everyday norm from very early in life. In addition, these activities can boost physical well-being later in life by reducing the risk of injury and diseases like osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease – so it’s important to encourage your little ones into active play early.

Not only that, but active play teaches gross motor movements that leaves toddlers free to enjoy, and challenge themselves in, physical activity both now and long into adulthood.

Fortunately I don’t have any difficulty encouraging the children to be active as they rarely sit still.

The big kids have always done a number of after school activities and then we are often in the garden or at the park in free time, or off doing something as a family. Even holiday time is active and that’s the way it has always been and how we like it.

When we are at home the children like to play on bikes, scooters, the trampoline, swing from the monkey bars or even walk around on the stilts their grandfather made for them.

They love a challenge and will give anything a go!

Recently they’ve been enjoying the Zoingo Boingo. This is priced at £24.99 and aimed at both boys and girls aged 7 and over, it is super easy to assemble and this is lots of fun. Just a quick pump up and attach the footplate and away you go!

Of course, it’s one of those things that looks super easy but is much harder than you think! Getting on was the hardest part. Once you are balanced just squeeze the ball and bounce away.

How do you encourage active play? What do you get up to outdoors with the children?