Fall fitness: 20 fun ways to get moving with your kids

Fall is the perfect time to get yourself fit and get the kids moving.

Here in Minnesota, we're in that in-between weather when it's too cool for swimming and months away from winter sports. The good news is that there are oodles of ways to keep active with the kids during this perfect season.

Here's 20:

1. Go hiking. Parks are beautiful this time of year and you won't overheat in the crisp autumn temperatures. In the Mankato area, try hiking in Rasmussen Woods or Minneopa State Park.
2. Ride bikes.
3. Go for some power walks with the stroller.
4. Go swimming indoors at a rec center like the Lake Crystal Area Recreational Center or the YMCA.
5. Do the macarena or line dance together. There are loads of you-tube videos to show you how!
6. Play catch outside.
7. Go roller skating or roller blading.
8. Play frisbee in the park.
9. On rainy days, play a few games of Hyper Dash. Not only is it great fun, but it helps little ones learn colors and numbers! You can find this fun game online or in Mankato stores like Target and Walmart for around $20. Make sure you join in the fun!
10. Start a nightly routine of talking a walk together after supper.
11. Play at the park and take advantage of the free gym equipment it offers -- climb, push, do chin ups on the monkey bars, chase the kids and find other ways to play and work your body along with the kids.
12. If you don't have a family dog, start borrowing a friend's dog. Take him on walks and to the park to play ball and run. Dogs are wonderful for wearing out their owners in delightfully fun ways!
13. Get some pedometers. Give each family member a pedometer to clip onto clothing and a challenge, such as 10,000 steps per day. Some kids love this challenge and love trying to have the most steps of the family.
14. On a related note, head to the Blue Earth Nicollet County Humane Society and volunteer to walk their dogs together. They offer dog walking hours on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 3:30 to 6:00 p.m.
15. Play games like tag and hide and seek in the back yard.
16. Rake leaves and play in them.
17. Go running. If you and the kids are new to jogging, try running for one minute and then walking for one minute and switch off. Work your way up to longer and longer times. Also race each other to stop signs and find other ways to make it fun.
18. Get some jump ropes and relearn some jump rope songs.
19. Set up some great props in the back yard. You can convert your yard into a more physical space with additions like tree stumps, tires and timber. Tree stumps can be climbed and jumped along. Tires can be pulled with ropes, rolled, stacked and run through (football practice style). Timber can become a balance beam or part of an obstacle course. Put out an assortment of objects like these and encourage the kids to make up their own ways to use them.
20. Shoot some hoops in the driveway or park.

Obviously, this is just the tip of the iceberg!

Soon enough, the temperature will be hovering around zero and we won't have nearly the opportunities that we have right now. Take advantage of the season to get outside and get moving!