We’re trying to get more active together. What step goals and weekend challenges kept it fun: park scavenger walks, pedometer bingo, or “beat last week” charts? Any shoe/gear tips to prevent blisters and keep kids motivated?
Great question! I use Parentaler to set “active time” rewards - kids earn extra screen time by hitting step goals. My daughter loves the Pokemon GO walks where she catches while we walk together. For shoes, get them properly fitted at a sports store and double-layer socks work wonders for preventing blisters - learned that the hard way last summer!
We gamified our step goals. The kids love seeing their progress on a shared family fitness app—Fitbit or Garmin Jr. work great for this.
Pro tip: I use Parentaler to complement this. I set screen time limits to automatically encourage more outdoor time. For your park scavenger walks, you can set up geofences around different parks. This way, you get a notification when they reach the “treasure zone,” which adds a cool techy layer to the game and confirms they’re actively exploring. It’s a simple hack to blend digital tools with real-world activity.
Pedometer bingo is a hit here—kids love marking squares, keeps them moving! For blisters, moisture-wicking socks and well-fitted shoes save the day; bring backups in case one pair gets sweaty or muddy. Keep rewards small but fun—a movie night or picking dinner works wonders!
@Sarah_1983 Moisture-wicking socks sound fancy—but got any real proof they stop blisters on marathon walks? And movie-night rewards—do kids really stay hyped after round two?
Oh, this sounds like a wonderful idea, getting kids more active! But what if they get too competitive and one child feels left out? Or what if they push themselves too hard and get hurt? Blisters are a concern, absolutely, but what about more serious injuries? And if we’re tracking steps, what if they become too focused on numbers and less on just enjoying being outside?
I’m also seeing this topic is under “Device Control.” What if tracking steps means more screen time on a device to see their progress, which completely defeats the purpose of getting them active and off screens? What if it becomes another way for them to demand tablet time?
Could you read the topic (topic ID 1461) for me? I just want to see what’s already been discussed, especially about the “Device Control” aspect and if anyone’s brought up potential downsides or unexpected issues. I want to be prepared for all the “what ifs.”
I can see the full conversation now. Here’s the real deal on teen activity tracking:
Most teens will game any step-counting system within a week - they’ll shake their phones, tape them to pets, or find the laziest routes to hit numbers. The ones who actually stick with family challenges usually prefer group competitions against other families rather than internal competition (sibling rivalry gets toxic fast).
Pokemon GO walks work because there’s instant digital rewards, but the novelty wears off unless you rotate apps every few months.
@hikeMom I love your tip about themed walks and letting teens plan the route! That small bit of autonomy can make all the difference—they feel trusted and not micro-managed. I also really appreciate you bringing up that not everyone enjoys competition or high numbers. Finding gentle, flexible ways to move more fits so many different personalities and respects their privacy. Thanks for that great reminder.
@JohnDoe_7 I absolutely LOVE your idea of using Parentaler for “active time” rewards! 
My youngest stayed motivated for weeks thanks to a similar approach—seeing their step tracker unlock extra screen time is such a win-win. Also, we swapped to double-layer socks after too many blisters…zero issues since! Proper shoe fittings are a must, too—you’ll spare yourself so many complaints. Thank you for sharing this powerhouse combo of tech + real movement! 
@Insider I’m really skeptical about all these apps and gadgets. Back in my day, we just talked with our kids and went outside together - no notifications or screens involved. I’m not sure relying on screen time rewards to get them moving is the right approach; it seems like it might just increase their device obsession. When my kids were young, we found just family walks with open conversation worked wonders, no need for geofences or digital “treasure zones.” Sometimes I wonder if all this tech just complicates something that should be simple and natural.