Post written by Zen Family Habits contributor Melanie from Dietriffic.

We live in an age where children are glued to the TV, and consumed by video games both day and night. And, it’s now “normal” to spend hours on Facebook or MySpace, sharing everything about yourself, with people you don’t even know.

It’s almost abnormal for kids, to play out of doors these days.

What worries me, is the effect these sedentary practises are having on our families, never mind the unknown consequences on emotional and psychological health.

I think it’s now more important than ever to be spending quality time with our children, and to encourage them to be active and healthy, in whatever way we can.

So, in an effort to encourage our kids (and ourselves) towards a healthier lifestyle, here are three ways to foster active, healthy habits:

1. Give them “active” gifts
This doesn’t have to mean expensive gifts like the Wii Fit, for example (although that’s fun, right?). Very often it’s the simple gifts, which children get the most enjoyment out of anyway.

Some of the tried-and-tested kid’s favorites, include:

• Soccer ball
• Yard volleyball or table tennis
• Rounders or cricket set
• Netball ball, or basket ball and hoop
• Baseball glove and ball
• Tennis or badminton ball and racket
• Hula hoops
• Frisbee
• Small bean bags
• Jumping rope
• Bike
• Scooter
• Roller skate/blades
• Skateboard
• Twister
• Fishing equipment
• Kite
• Mask and snorkel
• Fun fitness DVD, such as Pilates or kick-boxing

These are mostly simple suggestions, but they encourage a bit of fun and moving around, rather than sitting chair-bound, playing video games or watching DVDs. That has to be a good thing.

Obviously some of these suggestions are a little more costly than others, so if your budget doesn’t stretch that far, don’t be afraid to check out the second-hand stores. Very often you can get your hands on some really good gear at a fraction of the cost of buying new.

2. Be active as a family
I think most people would agree, as families we don’t spend enough time together these days. That’s why I love the idea of working out as a family, or taking active trips and vacations together.

You can make this as simple as a Saturday walk to your local park. Or, if you’d like to try something new, how about a family kayaking trip, hiking, or mountain biking together?

You could make it as whole-day event, and pack a healthy picnic lunch. Or, it could be a fun weekend break, away from the normal routine.

Activities like this are creating and strengthening bonds with your family for a lifetime and to me that’s a priceless gift.

3. Cook together
Some of my happiest memories as are child are times spent in the kitchen baking with my mum.

And, while it tended to be chocolate cake, or caramel fingers we were making, I can honestly say that those times helped foster my love for good, healthy food years later.

You can make cooking with your children an opportunity to teach them about healthy food, how to adapt recipes to make them healthier, how to menu plan, and one hugely important lesson on how to enjoy food, minus the guilt factor and “dieting” ethos, so prevalent today.

Personally, I believe these are very important lessons, which can go a long way to encourage our children to be healthier, happier adults.

How do you encourage your children to be fitter and healthier?

Read more healthy eating tips from Melanie on her blog Dietriffic, or follow her on Twitter.