With video games, the Internet and television, many of today's kids hardly go out for exercise, instead staying indoors watching television or sitting in front of the computer. Excessive television viewing and sitting in front of the computer for hours are detrimental for the physical fitness and growth of the child. There is an increasing rise of obesity in today's children. Lack of physical exercise often makes them victims of sedentary lifestyle diseases. If you are a parent, it's vital to make sure your child gets enough exercise and physical activity to maintain a normal weight and avoid health problems. The easiest way to do this is to play outdoor and sports games with your kids.

One of the easiest to teach and most physically active games for children is basketball. This game is immensely beneficial to kids as it provides them with an entire body workout that helps them to remain fit and healthy. The game of basketball involves running around the entire court as well as the use of your arms and legs. The game provides your child with a complete cardiovascular workout and is also great for social activity, as you can get the other neighborhood kids together to play a game.

Not only does your child get the benefits of a total physical workout but he/she can have lots of fun playing the game. Since basketball is a competitive game, children love to play the game for the sake of enjoyment rather than physical exercise. The skills of the game can be picked up fast and children find this game interesting and fun. Basketball involves a lot of movements. This provides children the much needed excitement and thrills that they are looking for in a game. The competitive aspect is also fantastic, since kids may not even realize they are getting physical exercise, since they are having so much fun playing the game against others.

Introducing your child to the fun and benefits of basketball is a wise decision. As a parent you are not only introducing your child to a game that involves a lot of fun and enjoyment but you are exposing your child to the healthy world of exercise and physical fitness. This will indeed go a long way in shaping up the health of your child and make him/her fit as a fiddle without hassles!