If you find that you or your kids are spending a lot of time in front of the TV, the following are some ideas to keep them from becoming couch potatoes:

Set TV limits
Sit down and figure out how much TV you will allow yourself and your kids each day or week, keeping in mind that most experts recommend that kids spend no more than 2 hours a day in front of the TV. Once you've set limits, plan ahead and decide what you want to watch each day, and stick to your limits. It might be hard at first, but many families who place limits find that once they're used to it, they end up watching less TV than they originally planned.

Start traditions
Active traditions that the whole family looks forward to will keep them off the couch and help them develop a more active lifestyle. It could be bike riding after dinner, going to the park on Saturdays, or throwing a Frisbee around in the yard with the kids after work. Try to work in things the whole family will enjoy.

Even when the weather starts to get cold, you can still enjoy outside time, such as playing in the snow.

Take advantage of local perks
When the weather is nice, there are plenty of opportunities in many neighborhoods to get away from the couch and outside. Take some time to find out what there is to do in your community. Consider buying a pass to an area swimming pool, or find out where local walking or biking paths are and go for family bike rides or walks. If you have parks and playgrounds in your area and small kids, take them there to play and burn off energy instead of sitting on the couch watching TV.

However, you don't have to go much farther than your own backyard if you want to get off the couch and get exercise. Set up a badminton or volleyball net in your backyard and play, or play games like tag with your kids. This is a great way for the whole family to get exercise.

Include your young kids
Even if you have young children, you can still get off the couch and exercise. Put the kids in a stroller and go for a walk, or get a jogging stroller. If you ride bikes, there are many trailers now that allow you to pull your kids along with you. The kids will enjoy the ride (and fall asleep!) and you'll get additional exercise. You can also walk to a park together and play. Exercising with kids while they are young is a great way to encourage it as they get older as well.

Getting your family off the couch and into exercise will make them happier and healthier overall.