Getting active is a key part of a healthy lifestyle. By starting young, you can build a fun and healthy habit for a lifetime. Teens and young adults can find ways to live healthy and happy through sports activities in high school and beyond.

Parents (and grandparents) -- please feel free to share this with the middle- and high- school students in your family and circle of friends. Playing athletics in a healthy and smart way will help them gain skills that last a lifetime.

Find a sport that’s the right fit. Between physical ability and personality, not every sport is for everyone. Take stock of your natural abilities, and decide what you hope to take away from your participation. Some individuals love the thrill of intense competition while other athletes enjoy the camaraderie of intramural sports. Team sports require cooperation, but individual sports recognize individual achievements. With dozens of activities to choose from, you’re bound to find something you enjoy.

Use the right equipment. Injuries do happen, even when you’re just practicing or playing for fun. Studies report that more than sixty percent of youth sports injuries occurred at practice, not in competition. Whether it’s a supportive pair of running shoes or a helmet and safety pads, play it safe by using the correct protective equipment.

Train smart. When training for a sport, optimize your conditioning instead of just maximizing your workouts. Overtraining can cause serious damage to muscles and joints. Athletes can avoid overuse injuries by using cross-training strategies to strengthen some muscles while resting others. When physical training is balanced with rest and recovery periods, skill and strength develop quickly.

Organized athletics offer great rewards to everyone involved. Playing sports boosts physical health. Joining a new activity opens the door to meeting friends and finding opportunities. The most important thing to remember is to be a good sport by being respectful and encouraging at all times. That goes for parents too!

It’s time to head back to school. Before you dig too deep into your wallet, read up on money saving strategies for school supplies and kids’ clothes.

Check out the weekly ads. Grocery markets, discount stores, and office supply shops all want some of your back to school dollars, and nobody says you have to do all of your shopping at just one store. Watch for school year must-haves to hit super low prices by scanning the weekly ads. Crayons, pencils, folders, and notebook paper can often be bought for just a few cents. Don’t take the kids unless you must. They might just “need” expensive items with fancy licensed designs. Instead, make a fun afternoon out of decorating plain folders and binders with crafty items from around the house.

To save even more, you may want to organize a buying group. Sometimes the best deals are available on bulk packages with too many units for just one family to use. When you get the annual list of required school supplies, team up with other moms in the same school to accomplish the buying. Divvy up the items, so that each participant focuses on finding an awesome sale price for just one or two items. 

Don’t forget thrift stores and consignment stores as a way to stock up on clothing at discounted prices. Gently used and sometimes new garments are donated to thrift shops, and you will feel like a hero when you score favorite brands for next to nothing. Check the contents of children’s closets before a trip to a consignment store. You can make a list of just what you need to buy, and you can sell outgrown clothing in good condition to the store for cash or store credit.

Forget about keeping up with the Joneses, and decide what’s right for your family in the new school year. Set a budget, make a plan, and stick to it. The extra cash in your pocket will come in handy because before you know it, it will be time for holiday shopping!

It’s hotter than hot out these days. If you even suggest going outside, you’re likely to be met with loud disapproval. But with everyone going stir crazy inside the house, how will you ever survive the dog days of summer without losing your cool?

To stay cool (and to keep hydrated), water is a critical ingredient to summer fun. Don’t feel that you have to haul everyone to the nearest pool or beach; there are many water games you can play in your own backyard. Stage a water war using squirt guns and kitchen sponges. Sponges are a great soft, reusable alternative to water balloons. If you live on a hill, use a slick plastic tarp and a garden hose to make a giant waterslide. The neighbors will be so jealous.

Can’t stand the heat? Get out of the kitchen. In fact, just get out of the house. Why limit yourself to the resources of your own home when plenty of locations offer fun activities in glorious air conditioned comfort? If kids want to bounce off the walls, go to a place designed just for that. Indoor bounce house playgrounds have popped up in shopping malls everywhere, and many locations offer all-day passes for just a few dollars.

Hit the sweet spot with a fruity, frozen treat. With a food processor or a blender, you can try making “ice cream” from frozen banana slices. Slice bananas into thin pieces, and freeze in a single layer. Make multiple layers by spreading freezer paper in between. Allow the frozen banana slices to thaw slightly, so they soften enough for the processor or blender to handle. Blend the frozen banana slices until they achieve a smooth and creamy consistency. Add a little peanut butter or chocolate for a sweet concoction that will make everyone go bananas!

Don’t let the dog days of summer get you down. It’s time to chill out, and enjoy the last lazy (and hot!) days of summer.

An exciting summer vacation doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. The United States of America maintains hundreds of national park and beach sites just for you! Visit the National Park Service website to find locations near to your home or far, far away. Many national parks offer admission for free or for a low price. Here are some cool things you do at national recreation sites.

Hike through a national park. Pick up a park map, and select a trail that’s right for you.  Some trails are perfect for a short walk; other trails need advance planning for a rugged all-day adventure. You can hike deep into the Grand Canyon or up to the peaks of the Rocky Mountains. Although some areas may require the purchase of a permit, most hiking trails can be accessed through your park admission.

Listen to a ranger lecture. While a lecture might sound like the last thing you want for summer vacation, these ranger led talks will capture your interest. You can learn about the history of the area, study unusual animals, or pick up some useful skills. 

Beachfront recreation sites offer plenty of swimming and water sports. Possibly the park with the most water is Dry Tortugas National Park. Water covers nearly all of its 100 square miles, and you can only reach this area by seaplane or by boat. Once there, you can enjoy incredible underwater views by snorkeling over coral reefs.

Who needs a theme park when you can explore a national park instead? The National Park Service can match one of their recreation sites to your summer plans. Use their online search to discover parks by location, by activities, and by topics of interest. With hundreds of sites to choose from, you can design an active and engaging summer trip that’s perfect for you.

Are you getting your daily servings of fruits and vegetables? You can usually find delicious local produce during the summer months. Make healthy eating child’s play with these fun activities.

Have a picnic at a farmer’s market. Local markets offer an amazing variety of produce and other homemade products. Find a farmer’s market near your home, and turn an ordinary afternoon into a scavenger hunt for nutritious and delicious food. Make silly games out of trying new foods. For example, is it possible to make a whole meal from foods of only one color? Or can you find a different food for every letter of the alphabet? When the shopping is done, find a place to spread out a blanket and gobble up the freshest food of summer. 

Visit a pick-your-own farm. Fill your basket to the brim with produce straight from the farm. Haul the bounty home where you can use the Internet to find new recipes. Get cooking, and taste your homemade creations. You can invite your friends over for a meal featuring fruits and vegetables, handpicked by you!

Create art you can eat. Use an assortment of fruits, vegetables, and other treats to create pictures and sculptures made just from food. Orange slices become cheerful sunshine, and celery forms the body of a sleek race car. This time, it’s okay to play with your food.

Healthy eating doesn’t need to be boring. Your diet will be healthy, tasty, and exciting when you try new foods and fun edible activities this summer.

In the heat of summer, nothing feels better than a cool swim at the pool or the beach. Unfortunately summer water fun can quickly turn dangerous. Following a few simple safety rules will guarantee that everyone stays safe and has fun.

First of all, know your skills. Did you learn to swim when you were just a baby? Or, is this your first time to take a dip? Unless you are a strong swimmer, you'll want to stick to the shallow end. Swim lessons will help beginning swimmers become good swimmers, and good swimmers will get even better.

Use flotation devices. Life jackets can be worn in the pool or out in the open water. Before heading out on a boat, check that a correctly sized life jacket is onboard for everyone. Just remember, a flotation device is never a substitute for swimming skills or adult supervision.

Never swim alone. Accidents can happen to even the best swimmers. A buddy can help you out of the water if you have trouble, or he can call for help. Children should always be watched by adults while in or near the water. When watching kids, adults need to stay alert. Put away phones or other distractions to stay focused on safety.

Learn CPR. Know when and when not to perform CPR. Taking a class in CPR and first aid prepares you to take action when the unexpected occurs. Studies have shown that even children as young as 9 years old can learn the correct techniques to save a life.

A summer afternoon in the water can turn tragic all too quickly. Follow these water safety tips to ensure your summer is safe and enjoyable for the whole family.