From our First Lady’s “Let’s Move” campaign to the local chapter of Girls on the Run, there is a consistent push to keep your kids active and healthy. They are, after all, our future. And when school is in session, gym classes and team sports can help you out with this. But once summer hits, their structured days become more relaxed, which can make it harder to get (and keep) them moving.

In fact, childhood obesity rates have tripled over the past three decades. And did you know that one out of every three kids is either overweight or obese? (source) But with a little creativity on your part, along with your own backyard, you can successfully ignite endless hours of playtime that works against those obesity rates as they pertain to your children.

Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Stock up on outdoor toys.
Every kid loves to shop for new toys, so take yours on a spree at the start of summer. Start in their own toy chest to remind them of all that they’ve already got on-hand. Then, move on to your local super store. A new ball, bat, bike or whathaveyou can inspire endless hours of play—and is often much cheaper than video games and movies.

Suggest a game of tag, and join in on the fun!
Kids love it when adults play, too. And tag, no matter how old you are, is always very fun. And versatile. Ever play toe tag? Everyone is “it,” and you get another person “out” only if you can tap their toe—with your own toe. Set up boundaries to make it interesting, and decrease the boundaries as more players get tagged. The point? It keeps your kids moving constantly. A paused foot is prime target, after all, so toe tag is an excellent form of cardiovascular exercise. With a bit of plyometrics thrown in, too!

Get the hose out—or a can of whipped cream.
Nothing keeps a kid moving more than a hose spouting out cold water! But on a hot day, it can be very refreshing. Water tag, anyone? And sometimes, simply setting up a sprinkler is all that’s required. Or maybe you can catch them off guard, which would ultimately get them running wild around the backyard in an effort to not get wet. Or full of whipped cream. Kids…again, regardless of age…love playing with food. So if you as the parent give them permission, hilarious whipped cream “fights” would ensue.

Set up obstacle courses and relay races.
From a tree to the corner of your garden, perhaps a deck chair and even a baseball bat—it’s all fair game when it comes to setting up obstacle courses and your kids will love coming up with a good challenge. Especially when more than one neighborhood buddy is involved. Is it a team event? Are individual performances timed? Do they have to crawl, jump or roll to the finish line? The options are endless.

Ultimately, when it comes to your child’s health, anything that gets them moving about is worthy of being called “exercise.” And if you can get them moving outside, at least for an hour or two each day, that’s all for the better. Fresh air, Vitamin D…just make sure they wear sunscreen. A sunburned child is never a happy child.