All parents know that children are playful by nature and absolutely love engaging in games of any sort.  However, the advent of hand-held technology has made it increasingly challenging to get young kids to exercise. ‘Exercising’ may seem boring or even a torture to some children, but incorporating fun family activities into the routine can help to dispel any negative association from their heads.  

Turn Household Chores Into Games

Getting your children to do household chores doesn’t have to be a pain when you incorporate games into it. You can play pretend that the dust creatures are invading planet earth, and it is up to Captain (your child) to save the day by capturing them with the broom or vacuum machine. You can also have your child assume the role of a superhero and have them save their stuffed toys from the slimy pit of the floor by putting them safely in their toy chest. Folding laundry can also be turned into a guessing game. Whenever you take out a piece of clothing, simply have your child guess who it belongs to. It can be an interactive and rewarding game especially when they correctly identify the clothing.

Make Use of TV Commercials for Fitness Breaks

Instead of wasting commercial time sitting on the couch and waiting aimlessly, consider inventing silly names for simple exercises like push-ups, sit-ups, squats, and then do them together until the show comes back on. Some name suggestions would be “Bob the Builder muscle builders” and “Sofia the First sit-ups”. Mummies and Daddies, you can also play the role of a coach, in which you take turns ordering each other to do the exercises or follow each other in doing simple moves like marching and clapping.

Weekly Sports Family Event

Set a day every week to get everyone up and moving. One game suggestion is to play the fit-deck shuffle. Create a series of playing cards that features family-friendly exercises such as ape-walking and gorilla-acting. Each family member takes turns to pick a card from the deck and perform the chosen exercise.

Run or Walk for a Charity

Exercising for a good cause can be a fantastic source of motivation for both parents and kids. Team up with your children for a fund-raising race or marathon. If your children are too young to participate in an actual race or marathon, consider bringing them along where they can watch you lead by example and cheer you on.

Set Up an Indoor Fitness Gym

An indoor fitness gym is a great idea for families with young children. Perks of having a home gym include modifying it to fit your child’s growth as you can add or remove equipment at any time. As adults can utilize the equipment as well, you can be sure you are getting the best value for your money.

At Fitness Kid, we specialize in keeping your child fit and happy by supplying top rated home gym equipment, mats, and accessories that can help boost physical development and fun. Contact us today to find out more or simply drop us an email at info@fitnesskid.com.