Monitor the amount of time your children spend in passive activities, such as watching television or spending time on the computer. Sure, these types of activities aren't bad for your child, but when they are done for long periods of time, and in place of more active pastimes, they do have a negative health impact.

Many studies show that watching television for more than about an hour a day causes health problems and impacts mental development.

To help your children be more active, keep television, computers, and DVDs to an enjoyable treat, and – most importantly – turn off the television when the show finishes! Don't just keep it on all day as background noise or a babysitter!

When children are old enough, organized sports are a great option. As well as improving their fitness, they'll also make friends, learn about teamwork, improve their coordination and motor skills, and learn the importance of good sportsmanship.

Make sure it's a sport they enjoy, and that the focus of the team is on having fun and participation rather than on being highly competitive, especially for younger children. Older kids might enjoy the challenge of a little healthy competition, but keep things in perspective. Organized sports can be anything from swimming, to soccer, to martial arts.

Watching live sports events might help to encourage children to participate in a game at their level. Try following up a televised game with a backyard game of your own.

When you're planning family activities make them active ones, for example:

• Have the whole family go out for a brisk walk after dinner
• Go for a family bike ride around and stop for a picnic along the way
• Go bowling
• Organize a picnic with other families or friends and be sure to include a game of some sort
• Set up a Frisbee ® golf challenge - it's like golf but using a Frisbee®! Take turns choosing the next “hole” (target) to hit and keep track of your scores
• Have a game of flag football
• Hire tandem bikes for a day
• Set up a backyard badminton game
• Find a paintball park and prepare for battle!
• Try kayaking, sailing, or canoeing for a weekend treat
• Go for a day-long hike in a national park
• Explore an area in your city by foot - follow an historic trail or make your own route based on your family's interests
• Take a wander around your local markets - as a bonus you might even pick up some fresh, healthy produce for dinner