The kind folks at Be Active North Carolina's new online resource for parents, Parenting for Health, fields a question about summer activity.

Q. What's the best way to keep my kids active this summer?

A. Plan, plan, plan… Integrate physical activities into your daily, weekly, and monthly calendars. Engage in daily walks after dinner when it is cooler, and spend time playing with the kids right when you get home from work before doing anything else (kick a ball, take a bike ride, throw a Frisbee, etc). Do this every day to establish consistency. Use the newspaper and internet to find physical activities and put them on the calendar, and don’t be afraid to try something new as a family—variety is the spice of life! When going on vacation plan for your physical activity by looking for fun family activities such as biking on the boardwalk or taking a hike in the woods at a state park. If you’ve worked to establish consistent physical activity in your daily lives, you’ll have no trouble continuing this away from home: continue to walk after dinner, take day trips to a local attraction, etc.

Contact your local parks and recreation departments, YMCAs, and 4-H groups to find out about recreational activities and camps. Many of these groups offer financial assistance or scholarships, so if money is an issue, they may be able to help you. Don’t be timid—if you need help, ask for it! Finally, don’t forget about the pool! North Carolina is hot in the summer, so utilize water as a fun way to play outside and keep from overheating. Many neighborhoods have pools, but you can also take your kids to a local lake or the beach. Make sure to use the appropriate sunscreen and use it often! Plan for periodic breaks to get out of the sun, rehydrate, and fuel—nothing tops water and fresh fruits, such as apples and oranges, as a healthy outdoor snack.

For more information visit www.parentingforhealth.org.You can email the group at parenting@beactivenc.org.

On Tuesdays, Mom2Mom has been getting local experts to answer your questions about your kid's health, your health and related topcis. I've gotten sidetracked the last couple of months, but am back on track now. To read past Ask! features, go to www.trianglemom2mom.com/ask. And if you have a question for a local expert, e-mail me.