Family Activity Guide, Age-by-Age

5 to 8 Years

Go on a backyard treasure hunt. We like Scaventure Kids, a kit that provides cards and instructions; $19.95 at boardgames.com. Or create your own hunt: Make a map and clues that lead explorers to the treasure.

Calories burned in 1 hour (includes 30 minutes of set-up): 256

Dream up a wacky game with your kids. One example: roofball. Volley a beach or kick ball onto the roof of your house, and when it rolls off, try to hit it back up again.

Payoff: 192 calories burned in 60 minutes of volleying.

Have a noodle race in the pool. Pick up buoyant foam water noodles ($4.50 each at pooltoy.com), hop into the water, and center them under your bellies. Then swim back and forth across the pool at least five times. Even if your child isn't a completely confident swimmer, the noodle will help keep her above water. (And yes, you should let her win a race or two.) Find other fun pool activities at about.com (search for "water games").

Payoff: 192 calories burned in 30 minutes of swimming.

Take the kids to a pick-your-own-berries farm. Pluck lots of extras, and when you get home, bake low-fat muffins for everyone.

Calories burned in 2 hours of berry picking and baking: 672

Get into biking. Take yours in for a tune-up, and start working to get those training wheels off. For child-safety tips and gear, go to wallabykids.com.

Calories burned in 30 minutes: 336