Children grow and learn better when their bodies are engaged in the living world and environment. According to the Academy of Pediatrics “only 1 in every 3 children had any kind of physical activity everyday”. Now this is alarming and even more if your child falls into this category. The reasons for this sluggish lifestyle are obvious, the children are overloaded with a lot of work from school and the screen bound engagement after the school. You as children had a far active lifestyle than your child and their obvious benefits are known to everyone. So, you need to give your child an active lifestyle after school which will benefit them in the long run to lead a happy life. Here, we give you 5 simple after-school activities that will engage your child physically and mentally.

1. Conventional outdoor sports-Although conventional but this is the most effective way to engage your child physically. After school take your child out for a sport like football, cricket, basketball or any other sport your child may enjoy. This will help by keeping them fit and healthy. It will also impart a spirit of team work which will be beneficial for them to lead a successful life ahead.
2. Dancing or singing classes-Enroll your child in an after-school dancing or singing class. Thanks to reality shows and YouTube, children these days have that tilt towards these two activities. These classes will reduce their screen-bound time and make them learn something new at an early age which, later on can become their passion or profession.
3. Individual sports- Sports like Martial arts, karate, swimming or gymnastics is a great way to make your child learn an altogether a new skillset. Engaging them in these sports will also make them capable for their self-defense. These kinds of sports can bring in confidence, a disciplined routine and will keep their physical self active. Being physically demanding these activities will keep your child strong in the long run.
4. Art & Craft- You can make your child learn art and craft and keep them involved after schools. These activities are fun filled and a child always enjoys these colorful engagements. Also,these art and craft activities will make them think creatively and making them open up their minds to new imaginations.
5. Mind games- Its not just the physical activeness but also the mental fitness that improves the overall personality of your child. A child needs to workout his brain in order to keep it healthy just like your body. Engaging your child in puzzles, quizzes, sudoku, a game of chess or any other mind games will help him improve his IQ and make him think differently. He will also improve his ability to think under stress and thus indirectly his decision making ability.

Compare your child playing football on ground to playing the simulated version of that game, the huge physical and mental benefits of the former will definitely outweigh the latter. From what the child eats to which school he goes to, you as parents are the cornerstone for every decision about your child’s early life. So, the decision to give them an active lifestyle with minimum of screen time also falls to you. Sotaking some time out for these after-school activities will let your child lead an active lifestyle from an early age whose benefits he will reap in his bright future ahead.