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According to Dr. Naveen Uli, a pediatric endocrinologist and medical Director of the Healthy Kids, Healthy Weight Program at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies Children’s Hospital, kids need to be active outdoors.

Mother Nature would like to offer you a tip, one parent to another: Get the kids outdoors.

A family trip to a park, forest or trail is a great way to get everyone moving and help youngsters embrace physical activity. With many kids struggling to control their weight, outdoor pursuits can be a fun and effective solution.

What is the key to getting kids to like outdoor activities? Make sure the activities are fun. Pick pastimes that work for your kids’ ages, and give teens some freedom to pick their own.

Whether you live in Ohio, California or New York, find fun and affordable places that offer an extensive list of events and outdoor activities. Outdoor adventures not only allow children to enjoy physical activity, but also help them learn new skills and consequently become more physically fit.

Here is some advice on several outdoor activities that are popular with children and teens.

Mountain Biking

Make sure your children always bike with a helmet that fits properly and sits flat on the head. Gloves and knee guards offer added protection. The International Mountain Bicycling Association suggests kids should not ride their own bikes until they are at least 7, but younger children can ride in trailers behind bikes.

Many parks designate trails for mountain biking. You can find one at Recreation.gov under the “Recreation Search” section.

Trail Running

Trail running is physically demanding, so it may not be for beginners. Research your route, wear proper shoes and bring enough water. Trail running shoes generally provide more stability and traction than shoes made for running on hard surfaces.

The American Trail Running Association has information on trails in all 50 states and in 18 countries at TrailRunner.com.

Hiking

To avoid getting lost, plan a route and research the trail before you set out. The right footwear and enough water are vital. Boots should generally be a half size larger than other footwear.

The American Hiking Society has a Trail Finder feature with information on more than 30,000 trails at AmericanHiking.org.

Family exercise decreases the risk for obesity, heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure for all age groups. And no matter what the activity, your time together in the great outdoors is also a chance to reconnect.