Hi there,

I want to talk about something that’s been showing up a lot in my own life this summer, and probably in yours too.

The question of: Are my kids being active enough?

The camps are expensive. The screens are always on. And even I don’t want to go outside when it’s scorching out. But movement, joyful, unstructured, low-pressure movement, is still one of the best gifts we can give our kids.

So let’s talk about how to make that happen this summer, without the burnout. 

"We’re not in the 1900s, Mom."

That’s what my son told me when I suggested biking over to a friend’s house instead of texting. I laughed... and then I paused.

Because that’s what I used to do as a kid, and somewhere along the way, that kind of play started feeling old-fashioned.

But maybe it’s exactly what we need to bring back.

Are We Raising Lonely Kids? The Impact of Digital Media on Childhood Connections and Isolation. . 

What Does "Active Enough" Look Like?

Kids today play significantly less than we did growing up.   

Not just fewer hours outside. Fewer spontaneous games. Fewer scraped knees from climbing trees. Fewer impromptu neighborhood adventures. And so much more time indoors, on screens, in structured activities, or just... bored.

Read the full report here.

So when we ask, are they active enough? The real question is, are we giving them the space to be kids?

My rule of thumb? 

Half their waking hours should involve some kind of movement.

No drills or competitive sports. Just... moving.

Pool time, bike rides, jumping around in the yard.

It doesn’t have to be complicated. If the alternative is sitting on a screen all day, even a simple dance party counts as balance.

When They Say "I Don’t Feel Like It”

"But I’m tired." "It’s too hot." "I just want to chill."

Kids push back, and honestly, sometimes they have a point. Summer is for rest too.

But here’s how I approach it: I let them choose when, but not if. The negotiation is about timing, not whether movement happens. This gives them a sense of control without letting the day slip into sedentary autopilot.

It’s also about framing. I’ll ask, "What do you want to do first? Then let’s pick something active for later." It becomes a part of their plan, not an imposition from me.

PS: I build in options that don’t require me to be hands-on every single time. Pool time, friend hangouts, or even a dance session while I prep dinner, it all counts and gives everyone breathing room.

Low-Effort, High-Movement Ideas  

We all need a few ideas that don’t require gear, sign-ups, or a second car trip. These are the activities my kids return to again and again, because they’re fun, flexible, and don’t feel like chores.

Here are a few that work for us:

At home:

• Dance parties in the kitchen

• Hallway obstacle courses with pillows and chairs

• “The floor is lava” or simple movement challenges

Outside (without needing a drive):

• Neighborhood bike rides

• Front yard baseball 

• Sidewalk chalk games

Only 20 minutes? 

• Shoot hoops together

• Try roller skating with them (we YouTube tutorials!)

• Just go for a quick walk as a family

And yes, I’ve brought my laptop to the pool before. Supervision doesn’t have to mean sacrifice.

PS: 24 Low-Cost Summer Activities for Kids.  

That’s all for this week, parents! See you again next week, same time 💗

Inside the Laid-back Parent’s Internet History this week: 

Note for My Fellow Laid-Back Parents 📧

You don’t need to sign them up for something every week.

You don’t need to outsource every learning opportunity to an adult with a whistle.

Some of the most powerful learning happens when kids are playing freely, figuring things out with friends, experimenting, building resilience. 

Just because you didn’t pay for it doesn’t mean it’s not valuable.

— Lakshmi 💛