Family Health
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10 Activities for Family Fitness
Numbers of calories burned per half hour of fun.

1. Walking – 170
2. Swimming – 204
3. Volleyball – 102
4. Basketball – 153
5. Cornhole – 102
6. Frisbee – 102
7. Biking – 272
8. Badminton – 153
9. Roller Skating – 240
10. Laser Tag – 115

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Cook Books for a Child’s Appetite

One of the best ways to get kids to eat healthier is to get them involved in cooking their own meals.
Here are some of Lexington Family Magazine’s favorite cookbooks for kids and teens.

Family Fun Cooking with Kids by Deanna Cook (Family Fun, $24.95)

Williams-Sonoma Fun Food (Williams-Sonoma, $19.95)

The Spatullata Cookbook by Isabella and Olivia Gerasole (Scholastic, $16.99)

Cooking Up a Storm: The Teens Survival Cookbook by Sam Stern and Susan Stern (Candlewick, $16.99)

Cooking Rocks! Rachael Ray 30-Minute Meals for Kids by Rachael Ray (Lake Isle Press, $16.95

Healthy Cooking for Kids: 50 Fun Recipe Cards by Nicola Graimes (DK, $15.99)

Emeril’s There’s a Chef in My Soup by Emeril Lagasse and Charles Yuen (Harper Collins $22.95)

The Usborne Children’s Cookbook by Rebecca Gilpin (Usborne Books, $18.95)

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Bicycle Helmets Save Lives

Here are some interesting statistics from the Consumer Product Safety Commission:
-- 80.6 million Americans ride bikes
-- 43% don’t wear their helmets
-- Wearing a bike helmet can reduce your risk of injury by 85%
-- More kids are treated for head injuries from bicycle riding than from playing football, baseball, kick scooters and skate-boarding combined.

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A New Set of Wheels
Factors to Consider When Buying a New Bike
By Laurie Evans

Every child needs a bike, and chances are, some time this year, you will be shopping for a new one for one of your kids.

Whether it’s your child’s first bike, or just a bigger bike to accommodate those ever-growing legs, there are several factors you need to consider when making a purchase.

First off, where are you going to buy the bike? If price is not a big issue for you, consider going to a local bike shop rather than a discount store.

You’ll find staff with extensive knowledge who can help you find a bike that is of good quality and fits your child’s size and abilities.

Although you may not want to make a big investment for a bike your child may quickly outgrow, think about how many siblings or cousins might inherit the bike.

Secondly, make sure you find a bike that fits your child correctly. While surprising the birthday boy with a new bike is fun, making sure it’s the right size and style is even more important.

Why not surprise him with a trip to the bike store?

Children’s bikes are measured by wheel diameter, so you’ll find them listed as 10,” 16,” or bigger.

Have your child sit firmly on the seat. Both feet should just touch the ground and he should be able to easily reach the handlebars.

When your child puts his feet on the pedals his knees should not bump the handlebars.

Check the bike for quality. Is there an adequate chain guard to keep your child’s shoelaces and pants legs from getting trapped? Is the seat easy to adjust?

Look for wheel rims made of aluminum or metal alloy. Steel or chrome rims can make braking more difficult when the wheels are wet.

Kids bikes come with two types of brakes -- coaster and hand.

Coaster brakes, where a child pedals backwards to stop the bike are easier for younger children to master.

Before buying a bike with hand brakes, make sure your child has the strength to use them effectively. Some intermediate-sized bikes will come with both types of brakes, making the transition easier for kids.

Before you leave the store make sure you purchase a bike helmet that fits properly and make sure your child uses it.