If you take your kids to the park, do you play with them, or do you sit down nearby with a book or a coffee drink? The playground is the perfect place to bond with your child and get some exercise. Playing on the monkey bars, slides, and see-saws will give you and your kids a good cardiovascular workout. And unlike the gym, it costs absolutely nothing! Let's go over a few exercises you can do at the playground.

Take a few minutes to warm up first. You can do it by taking a brisk walk around the playground, or by following your child as she explores. Before long, you'll be ready for some serious workouts.

The monkey bars are the perfect place to work out. By climbing up and down the monkey bars, you'll be twisting, leaning, and stretching in all kinds of different ways. Exercising on the monkey bars will tone a variety of muscles.

You can also get a gentle workout by pushing your child on a swing. This will flex your back and shoulder muscles without putting too much pressure on them. Your child will have lots of fun, too. You can also give your calves and ankles some toning by playing with your child on the see-saw. If your child needs help climbing up a ladder to go down the slide, giving her a boost is another opportunity to exercise your warm muscles.

One of the simplest exercises is just running around, playing with your child as she explores. Help her on the merry-go-round, explore nooks and crannies with her. By being active and playing with your child, the two of you will stay healthier and sleep better at night.