Help your children develop good physical activity habits at an early age by setting a good example yourself.  Practice good heart healthy habits.

Limit the amount of television, movies, videos and computer games to less than two hours a day.  Substitute the rest of leisure time with physical activity.

Plan family outings and vacations so the they involve vigorous activities such as hiking bicycling, skiing, swimming, etc.

Give your children some household chores the require physical exertion, keeping in mind their levels of strength, coordination and maturity.  Mowing lawns, raking leaves, scrubbing floors and taking out the garbage not only teaches responsibility but can be good exercise.

Observe what sports and activities appeal to your children, then find out about lessons and clubs.  Some children thrive on team sports; other children prefer individual activities.  Some activities, like tennis and swimming, can be enjoyed for a lifetime and are much easier to learn during childhood.

If it is safe to walk or bike rather then drive, do so.  Use stairs instead of elevators and escalators.  Increase the distances you and your children walk.

Stay involved in your child's physical education classes at school.  At daycare, make sure the kids exercise at least 20 minutes a day.  Ask about frequency of classes and activity, class size, curriculum (instruction in lifetime fitness activities as well as team sports should by emphasized), physical fitness assessment, qualifications of the teacher (should hold appropriate certification in physical education and be an appropriate role for students).  Physical fitness should be measured at the beginning and end of each year, and goals should be established for each child.  Encourage your school board to put emphasis on skills students can use for the rest of their lives.

Discourage home work immediately after school to allow children to find some diversion from the structure of the school day.  Children should be active after school and before dinner.

Choose fitness oriented gifts -- a jump rope, mini-trampline, tennis racket, baseball bat, a youth membership at the local YMCA oe YWCA.  Select the gift with your child's skills and interests in mind.

Take advantage for your city's recreation opportunities -- form soccer leagues to fun runs.  Check out the various camps or organization like the Sierra Club that sponsor Outdoor activities such as camping, hiking trips and bird watching.

Spring your infant from mechanical restraints as much as possible.  Strollers and playpens are high on convenience but low on activity potential. try to unleash your diapered dynamo whenever and wherever he can safely move around.

When your children are bored, suggest something that gets them moving -- like playing catch or building a snowman in the yard.