Stay Fit With Your Kids – Games To Play Together

When you’ve got kids it can be hard to find enough time to exercise. What if there way to have quality time playing with your children and getting your exercise minutes in at the same time? Two Birds. One Stone.

Read our quick guide to find out how to turn your yard and living rooms into places where fun and fitness come together.

Note: If you’re new to exercise remember to consult with your medical practitioner and consider taking advice from someone qualified as a personal trainer.

Why Family Fitness

Being active as a family is good for physical and mental health. Shared activities strengthen family bonds and everyone gets fit. Kids look up to parents as role models so when you get fit they’ll follow suit.

Exercise also boosts mood and reduces stress. Playing with kids turns exercise into fun and reduces anxiety and improves emotional health. Tag or soccer can teach teamwork and social skills as well as physical benefits.

Physical play prevents sedentary lifestyles and better sleep. When families are active together everyone sleeps better and overall health improves.

Active family time encourages problem solving and creativity. Games that require strategy like scavenger hunts stimulate the brain and keep kids mentally engaged.

Family fitness reduces the risk of chronic diseases. Active kids and adults are less likely to get heart disease, obesity or diabetes.

Play for fitness to benefit your family’s health, relationships and long term wellness habits.

Why Play Games with Your Kids

Playing with your kids will keep everyone fit and create lifelong memories.

Physical Health

Tag, soccer or relay races improve cardiovascular fitness. These activities increase heart rate and endurance. Playing outside gets you fresh air which helps lung function. Active play builds muscle strength especially when climbing, running or jumping which improves coordination. And burns calories to help with weight management and reduce the risk of obesity.

Emotional Well-being

Laughter and play reduce stress for kids and adults. Fun activities release endorphins and improve mood. Playing together improves communication and understanding and builds stronger family bonds. Team games teach cooperation and problem solving challenge creativity and boost self esteem and resilience in kids.

Indoor Games to Keep You Fit

Kids can be active indoors and it’s fun and good for them. Here are some indoor games to get you and your kids fit.

Dance Games

Dancing is a great way to get moving. Try a dance off to popular songs. Apps like Just Dance can give you routines to follow. You’ll get a good workout while dancing with your kids. For extra fun create your own dance routines and do them together.

Obstacle Courses

Turn your living room into an obstacle course. Use pillows, chairs and blankets to create tunnels and hurdles. Time each other to see who can do the course fastest. This game improves coordination and builds strength. And it’s a great way to burn calories without needing much space.

Fitness Video Games

Interactive fitness games are a modern way of active play. Games like Ring Fit on the Switch or Kinect Sports get you active through fun challenges. You’ll find activities that include yoga, running and sports simulations. It’s a great way to get the whole family into fitness while having some screen time.

Outdoor Games to Keep You Fit

Exercise with fun in the great outdoors benefits you and your kids. Get fresh air and get moving.

Tag Variations

Traditional tag is a classic but mix it up. Try freeze tag where players must freeze when tagged until another player unfreezes them. Capturing the flag brings teamwork into play with two teams and hidden flags. Animal tag where tagged players must imitate an animal adds laughter to the workout.

Sports like Soccer and Basketball

Soccer and basketball is great for cardiovascular fitness. Set up mini goals for soccer in your backyard or a nearby park. Dribbling, passing and scoring improve agility. Basketball courts often pop up in community spaces. Fun shooting drills or one-on-one matches improve hand eye coordination and endurance.

Hiking and Nature Walks

Hiking engages the whole body. Choose trails of varying difficulty to match your fitness goals. Nature walks is a gentler option. Add scavenger hunts to keep the kids focused. Push those boundaries, enjoy the views and burn calories while exploring nature.

These activities combine fun with fitness so you have quality time with the family and everyone gets active.

How to Make Fitness Fun

Fitness in play engages kids and makes exercise enjoyable. Here are ways to fit in effective and fun workouts with your kids.

Setting Goals

Set simple and achievable goals. For example 20 minutes of active play a day. Use a chart to track progress and celebrate small wins. Share your fitness goals with your kids to motivate and team build. Having kids set goals teaches them the value of commitment and persistence.

Challenges

Introduce friendly competition like who can do the most jumping jacks. Mix it up with obstacle courses using household items. Combine workouts with games like Simon Says for more variety. Keep challenges age appropriate to keep them fun and not frustrating. Add a bit of friendly rivalry to keep them motivated and make fitness sessions more exciting.

Final Thoughts

Fitness and family time don’t have to be a drag. By incorporating play into your daily routine you can get your kids to love exercise and you’ll get fit too. Remember to keep it fun and engaging. Set achievable goals, track your progress and don’t be afraid to add a bit of friendly competition. These moments not only improve physical health but also strengthen family bonds and create lasting memories. So, put on your sneakers, open the door, get outside and enjoy the journey to a healthier, more connected family.