A family that exercises together stays together, quite literally. Never underestimate the importance of any activity that gets your blood pumping. In short, it burns calories, ups your energy levels, reduces stress, improves the blood circulation and most importantly makes you feel good about yourself.

Aim for activites that are fun and get you fit whilst spending quality time with your family. See it as relaxation time rather than a chore. Here are some ideas on how you and your family can keep fit and healthy... Park life Once the weather permits you leaving the house without an Eskimo outfit, hit the park. Find a spot free from dog-doings and grab yourself a football for a kick-about. You could set up mini obstacle courses and showcase your dribbling skills or have a penalty shootout game. Cricket and tennis are also perfect for the great outdoors and work on co-ordination skills. To make the game a tad easier and safer (hard tennis balls and cricket balls spell danger for the local's windows) use a soft foam ball. It's easier to hit and will increase your child's confidence when they achieve a strike. Rounders is also perfect so round up some fellow mums and dads and teach the little ones about team work... Wet their appetite Swimming has always been known to be one of the best exercises as it works all the muscles in your body. Most pools have a play pool with some foam mats and inflatables - get on board and splash out after doing a few lengths of the pool together. Ride on Make the trip to school a sporting activity. If you live reasonably close, riding to and from class really is the best way to commute. Look up the safest route, void of any main roads, and invest in some quality helmets, a bell, and some bike lights. If cycling to school isn't feasible, set aside an afternoon, pack a picnic and cycle around a picturesque park stopping only to feed the ducks or re-fuel on a cheese sarnie. Step up Walking is another great activity. You may need to incorporate some extra activities to keep them entertained or make sure there's a nice treat at the end of the journey such as a play park or a nice cafe for a celebratory sandwich. Take a trip to your nearest rural area for a brisk walk around the hills for some gentle exercise. Look out for the wildlife, from the different flowers to the amount of spots the ladybirds have and make a note of them together when you return from your travels. Clubbing it Placing your six year-old on the weights bench certainly isn't advisable but there is more to your local gym than working up a sweat on the treadmill. Quality health and fitness clubs openly welcome families and provide a variety of activities and experiences for children and adults alike.