Back in college, staying active was a breeze. I walked everywhere, covering miles just to get to class. Whenever I felt stressed and needed a break from studying, I could hit the campus gym for free. I couldn’t understand how some people claimed they didn’t have time to work out.
Then, I became a mom, and it all made sense. Finding time to exercise became a real challenge when just getting a moment to myself without the kids seemed like a victory.
Even though it gets harder when we have kids, staying active is still incredibly important. Our children look to us as examples, which means exercising becomes even more crucial. If we want to raise happy, healthy, and strong adults, we need to start by setting a good example now.
Kids learn by watching us. Their thoughts and actions about everything—from eating habits to exercise—are influenced by what they see us do. If we want them to eat right and stay active, we have to lead by example.
When we embrace healthy habits, our homes become centers of wellness. In such an environment, kids learn that living healthily is a positive and joyful way of life. And let’s be honest, it benefits us parents too!
Working out as a family not only boosts fitness but also helps create a culture of wellness. It encourages kids to form good exercise habits early on. Here are some fun activities that will get the whole family moving and giggling:
One of our favorite activities is having a Nerf gun fight. Everyone grabs a Nerf blaster, and we come up with rules and areas for play. We like forming teams, often splitting into boys versus girls, and sometimes play a game that combines elements of Combat Archery, Dodgeball, and Capture the Flag. Each team builds a fort to defend, with a paper cup as the target.
Here’s another fun exercise idea: each family member picks five favorite exercises, whether it’s dance moves, calisthenics, or martial arts. During a walk, jog, or run, we pause every minute to do one of these exercises for 30 seconds. By the end, we’ve snuck in a 20-minute workout!
A simple and engaging activity involves hiding exercises in Easter eggs around the house. Adults write down 20 different exercises on small pieces of paper, place them in plastic eggs, and hide them. The kids search for these eggs, and when they find them, we all do the exercise together. Adding a time challenge makes it even more exciting!
Walking is another great, straightforward family activity I enjoyed as a child, and now I do it with my own kids. Walking offers numerous benefits, and everyone, even the baby in the stroller, can join in. We’re lucky to live near scenic greenways and parks, perfect for family outings with our dogs.
Rainy afternoons call for dance parties. We turn on some oldies and dance around the house, quickly working up a sweat!
Jump rope is another fantastic exercise for the whole family. Kids usually excel at this activity once they get the hang of it since they have a lower center of gravity. Just ten minutes can get the heart pumping, and it’s fun learning different jumps together.
Structured activities like family jujutsu classes or rollerblading in a nearby parking lot also offer great opportunities to be active together. Our backyard is full of inviting activities like climbing and jumping, encouraging playtime.
Creating a movement-friendly home environment is also key. Though not typically seen as exercise, having elements that stimulate our vestibular system is essential, especially for growing children. We’ve added swings, aerial silks, and hammocks in our kids’ rooms to keep them both calm and physically active indoors.
Kids are naturally energetic, often wearing us out! With more screen time these days, providing alternative options for fun and adventure is crucial. Sometimes, it means allowing them to explore and take calculated risks.
I believe keeping kids inside all the time might do more harm than good. I’m all for bringing back the idea of neighborhood playtime. We’re in a community where we know our neighbors well, and we all look out for each other’s kids as they ride their bikes, skate, or explore. I’ll be sharing more soon about building a community in your neighborhood to make life more enjoyable!
How do you keep yourself and your kids active? Tried any of these activities? Tell us about it!
