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By nature, most children have an overabundance of energy; long after their parents’ energy has run out, they are usually still going strong.

Or so it would seem.

How, then, does one explain the report released in 2006 by the Trust for America’s Health, which stated that childhood obesity in the U.S. has more than tripled since 1980? Most likely, the finger can be pointed at the multitude of sedentary hobbies that are available today: with more must-see TV shows to watch, and more video games to conquer, for example, the more likely that kids are going to want to stay inside than run around outside.

So one of the challenges for moms and dads is to harness their kids’ natural energy toward physical activities. One fun way to get active is to enjoy the many interesting children’s exercise DVDs that are available—there are more out there than you may think!

That’s right. This isn’t the 1980s, the dawn of the exercise video, when everything seemed blandly similar. Nowadays, you’ve got your choice of activity to match any interest and age level, even for children:

* Smaller kids will love moving along with their favorite Muppets with Elmocize or Sesame Street Healthy, Happy Monsters, or can exercise with a cartoon bear with Get Fit Kids or the popular Hi-5 video series.

* 5-to-10-year-olds like a little more variety, so if they’re into kicking, they can Kick to Get Fit, watch Karate for Kids, or get pumped up with Tae Bo Kicks for Kids. Even simple walking can be made fun, too, with videos like Leslie Sansone’s Kid’s Walk.

* For kids who love the adventure of obstacle courses (indoor and outdoor), Toucanz Trail Obstacle Adventure would be a perfect workout companion.

* Are your sons or daughters old enough that they can’t get enough music? Hip-hop fans can enjoy dancing to DJ Dizzy’s Dance Hizzy or Hip Hop Animal Rock Workout, and for older girls/young teens who love Sabrina Bryan or The Cheetah Girls, Byou: The Hot New Dance Workout will be a must-have.

These are only a few examples of all that’s actually out there. And as you can see, the common thread in these videos is that they aim to get at the heart of the kid’s world: fun. By making exercising fun, they can keep kids more motivated, if not eager, to work out all the time…without having them thinking that it’s “work” or “good for them.”

Just as important, you can have a blast with your kids, too, as they stay in great shape with you!