Try to involve your children in active play (such as tag, football, or riding bikes) rather than just passive activities (like drawing or computer games).

There are lots of active games that children love to play, try some of these ideas:

• Play ping-pong
• Toss a Frisbee ® around
• Swim, play water volleyball, or duck-dive for pennies
• Play ball!
• Have piggy-back races or one-legged races
• Build a tree house, or backyard "clubhouse"
• Have a water balloon fight on a hot day!
• Make up imaginary characters and act out a play
• Shoot basketball hoops
• Go for bike rides
• Climb trees
• Play fetch with the dog
• Put on music and dance away

Sometimes children are reluctant to play actively on their own - you can encourage them by joining in. A game of tag is much more fun when Mom or Dad play too!

Choosing an active party theme has lots of benefits. As well as getting some exercise and burning off some of that endless energy that only kids have, there's no time to get bored, which means less chances to bicker or become over-excited.

• Many places hold organized party activities. Try roller-skating parties, pool parties, laser games, and mazes.
• If you're holding a party at home or in a park, plan plenty of games such as relay races, treasure hunts, tag, or try a piñata bash.
• You can also give presents which encourage activity, such as a jump rope, football, skateboard, rollerblades, or bike.