15 Healthy Habits for Raising Healthy Kids

There are a lot of things I want for my kids. I want them to be creative, I want them to be happy, I want them to be kind. I also want them to be healthy. And raising healthy kids starts with forming healthy habits.

Today I’m teaming up with Real California Milk to share a new initiative called Fuel Up to Play 60. This national campaign promotes physical activity and good nutrition in schools. YAY!!! Anytime parents and schools can join forces for the good of our kids it’s a win for everyone!

I’ve rounded up a list of healthy school lunches, activities to get kids moving and ideas for how to build confidence. Let’s work together to form these habits and move closer to raising super healthy kids!

5 Creative & Healthy Kids Lunches

I have to admit that I do not enjoy packing lunches. I’m not the Mom who loves finding new, cute ways to send lunch to school. I do however want to be starting healthy eating habits for my kids by sending nutritious foods that they can’t wait to eat.

• The Elvis Burrito from Bon Appetit
• Zucchini Banana Muffins from Uncommon Designs
• Mini Corn Dog Muffins from Keeley Mcguire
• Taco Lunch from 3 Boys and a Dog
• Chocolate Covered Cherry Granola Parfait from Peanut Blossom.

Bonus! Set up a grazing tray with healthy snacks for after school.

5 After School Movement Activities

When M and M get home from school they are usually worn out… for about 10 minutes. As soon as the backpacks are put away they are running around the living room bursting at the seams with energy. Having a few good movement activities ready is a life saver.

• Balance Relay
• Animal Yoga For Kids from Mother Natured
• Sight Word Soccer from Coffee Cups and Crayons
• 5 Activities Using Tape from Hands On: As We Grow
• Bear Hunt

5 Ways to Keep Kids Talking & Build Self Esteem

People with a healthy sense of self make healthy choices. The following ideas will make connecting and building confidence easy!

• Unique After School Questions
• Conversation Starters from Creative with Kids
• The Key Jar from Momastery
• Tips for Raising a Confident Kid
• Building Confidence in Young Athletes from Sports Mom Survival Guide

Fuel Up to Play 60 – Get Involved

Our kids spend a huge potion of their week at school and they trust what they learn while they are there. Learning and practicing healthy habits along side their peers will help reinforce the habits we are teaching at home!

1. Fuel Up to Play 60 encourages kids to consume nutrient-rich foods – which include low-fat and fat-free dairy, fruits, vegetables and whole grains – and achieve at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day; The program is designed to create sustainable change at schools in terms of access to good nutrition and increased physical activity.
2. The 2015 Spring Grant Funding Program is a competitive program for qualifying schools that’s designed to support schools that implement plays from the 2015-2016 edition of the Fuel Up to Play 60 Playbook. The grant provides up to $4,000 to help support their health and wellness programs. These plays can range from creating a healthy breakfast program in a school to coordinating the 100 Mile Club, which challenges students to walk, jog or run 100 miles at school in a single school year to improve their health and well-being. (To apply for a spring grant, visit Fuel Up to Play 60 for information and to get your school involved. Grant deadline is June 16.)
3. In addition to the grant. Central Valley schools and students grades 4th-10th can participate in the Get In the Game Challenge from now until May 22.
   • The school with highest number of student sign-ups will receive a celebration event at the school on June 3, 2015 featuring games, food and special guests from the San Francisco 49ers, including an active and/or former player and mascot Sourdough Sam.
   • In addition, the winning school will receive a dedicated stadium brick in the Levi’s® Stadium Fanwalk in Santa Clara, Calif.

Visit Fuel Up to Play 60 through to learn more, find your school and become a program adviser!

Leave a comment sharing some of the ways you are forming healthy habits and raising healthy kids!

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Real California Milk.