Plenty of physical activity is an important part of any child’s health routine, but many children consider working out to be, well, work. Luckily, there are many ways to help your kids get moving, and these can range from making their everyday errands more active to coming up with inventive ways to make exercise into a game.

Brenna Shumway holds a degree in dance and choreography from UCLA. Together with her husband Andy, an ISSA Certified Fitness Trainer, she runs 3 Dimensional Fitness in Los Angeles. Here she explains the benefits of youth fitness and offers ideas to help your gets get more active:

l Foster good attitudes early. If you get your children involved in physical activity when they’re young, says Shumway, it will become a part of their lifestyle that they will carry it into adulthood.

l Be active every day. Make exercise part of your daily routine. Take your child on walks as often as you can. Whenever possible, skip the elevator or escalator, and take the stairs instead.

l Work out with your kids. If you work out at home, invite your child to exercise with you. If your kid should get tired before you do, throw him or her on your back as an extra weight for push-ups.

l Get creative. Getting fit doesn’t have to be boring or repetitive, and games provide some of the best exercise kids can get. Come up with creative ideas, like a fun obstacle course in the yard. Help your kids learn that exercise is enjoyable and will make them feel good.

l Use props inventively. A simple toy like a hula-hoop can become a great piece of exercise equipment if you think inventively. You might try putting the hoops on the ground so your kids can navigate them like a Marine Corps tire run, or have your children hop through the hoops like lions at a circus.

l Give kids health and confidence. It’s really important for kids to learn basic skills when they’re young. Maintaining an active lifestyle will give your kids a good attitude towards fitness, keep them healthy, and give the confidence.

l Support your young athlete. By the age of five, many kids are ready to start in organized sports. When you show up to watch your son or daughter’s games, be enthusiastic and supportive, and not overly critical. Young children often feel like they can accomplish anything, and it’s nice to help foster this can-do attitude for as long as we can.