IF EXERCISE is part of your life, then chances are it's part of your children's lives too. Active parents often produce active children for whom going for walks, swimming and playing football is the norm.

With warnings that the computer age could be damaging children's health and with less sport offered in school, it's up to parents to ensure their youngsters get enough exercise.

But dragging them away from their Game Boys may be difficult. The key is to make exercise fun and come up with family activities where you can all get fit together.

Walking

IT'S free, it doesn't require any special equipment or training and it's one of the best forms of exercise.

However, the prospect of dragging a 'Kevin' around may put off most parents before you've even left the house. You could suggest they take a friend, dangle their Game Boy on a stick in front of them or offer to pay them.

Little ones are likely to get tired or bored quickly so here the key is making a walk an adventure. Take them to places they'll find interesting: woods, near rivers, on the beach or to ruined buildings with some ghostly tales with which you can keep them entertained. Give them a list of treasure to find on the way or see if you can identify birds, plants and trees. If they're really struggling, promise them a short piggyback after every ten minutes' walking.

Swimming

Most children like swimming, or at least playing about in the pool. Swimming is one of the safest, yet most effective forms of exercise, so if you persuade them to do a few lengths with you in between the handstands you'll all benefit. Health clubs like Bodysense at Redworth Hall Hotel are good because the pool is slightly smaller than the local leisure centre and therefore less daunting for a child.

Ball Games

THE obvious one is a game of footy in the garden or the park, but how about rigging up a net to play volleyball, a hoop for basketball or a game of rounders.

Circuit training

NOT the killer gym activity, but a garden version. Place balls, benches, skipping ropes, hula hoops and other any props you can find at different points around the garden. Each competitor has to complete each activity against the clock, with the one who completes the circuit in the fastest time the winner.

Cycling

THERE'S no better activity for a spot of family bonding than a bike ride, and with baby seats there's no limit on the age of who can take part. Kids will feel very grown up on their bikes out with mum and dad - you could even take a map and get them to help devise the route. Taking a picnic is popular.

Gardening

A GOOD one for getting the children to do your work under the pretence of it being fun. Most young children enjoy helping in the garden, especially if they've got their own little plot. Give them jobs like emptying buckets of weeds that will take them across the garden to the compost heap, or raking up grass cuttings or leaves. If you invest in some child-size tools, they can do their own digging.

l We have teamed up with Bodysense to offer readers the chance to spend a complimentary day at the health club, enjoying the facilities, which include the gym, swimming pool, sauna, steam room and spa bath. Visitors can also pay for beauty treatments at the Emmanais salon. To qualify, just collect FOUR different Bodysense articles, then contact the health club to book your free day on (01388) 770649.