Fun fitness ideas for the whole family – kiddies included!
Research shows active parents raise active children. Fitness should always be a priority in a family’s daily schedule.
Exercise is beneficial to your family since it can help you live longer, lessen your risk of heart disease, control your weight, and improve your children’s academic performance. Best of all, it also allows children to expend some energy.
Making family activities and fitness a part of your child’s life at a young age can go a long way toward helping them build healthy habits for life. Active children often become active adults!
Here are five family workout ideas that get everyone moving:
Set aside time to play
Set aside 30 minutes three times a week to do fun exercises with your children. Make it a part of your after-school or after-dinner routine. If your kids are young, they might enjoy hopscotch or hide-and-seek. Kick a soccer ball around with older children.
Go for a walk or a bike ride wherever you can
Use muscle power: bike or walk to the grocery store, library, or to your child’s school or sports events. Go for a 30-minute family walk after dinner instead of heading right for the television. Use a family exercise log or colourful stickers to track your progress. Put your log or chart on the refrigerator as a reminder to keep up the good effort together.
Make active family reunions a priority
Serve up family fitness as well as food at your child’s birthday party by planning active games such as tag or relay races. Older kids might enjoy throwing a dance party. At family or holiday gatherings, turn off the TV and take a walk around the neighborhood or go for a short hike at a local park. Or get everyone outside for a game of catch or shooting hoops.
Clean while singing and dancing
Set aside time for household chores and do them together as a family. Play music as you clean, and take turns choosing favourite songs. Younger children love to help out and can pick up toys or sweep floors while dancing with the broom. Older kids can dust, vacuum, and help make beds.
Make gardening fun
Spring is the perfect season to head outdoors and enjoy Mother Nature. Most kids love watering flowers, planting seeds, and playing in the garden. Younger children can help dig holes while older kids can rake leaves into a pile and then jump in it.
