Fun Ways to Get Kids More Active
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When you were a kid, and certainly a teen, exercise didn’t always seem like fun. Of course, it doesn’t help when they hear us complain about having to go to the gym. Plus today’s kids would rather spend their time with their friends or online.
Unless your kids have an interest in a specific sport or physical hobby, they might see exercise as something that they have to do in PE class then something they want to do for enjoyment. In this case, they would probably rather avoid physical activities. They might even do their best to get out of physical activities at school if it’s not required of them.
If you think back, chances are you might have been the same when you were younger. We all had days where we just didn’t want to get changed for the PE class, and sometimes exercise felt like a kind of torture when it was a sport or activity we didn’t care for or weren’t particularly good at. It’s no wonder that adults don’t get as much physical activity as they should since we kind of felt forced to at school growing up.
But as we all know, exercise is a crucial part of a child’s development and growth. It keeps them strong and healthy and also improves mental health and creativity. Also, exercise offers an outlet, a chance to meet new people, a way to reduce stress, and it ensures that our children don’t spend all of their time on YouTube or social media. But, when it’s the last thing that they want to do, how do you make your kids are more active?
Don’t call it “exercise”
If your child doesn’t like gym class, they might not enjoy being told that they have to exercise. So, I recommend not using the word exercise if you want to get kids more active. Tell them that you are going to have fun playing a game or outside. Making is a fun activity instead of stressing that it’s “exercise” is a much better strategy to get kids more active. Also, try to avoid other related terms like a workout!
Try new sports together
Exercise doesn’t have to be the boring gym classes that your kids have to do at school. It can be almost any kind of physical situation that gets kids more active.
One of the best ways to encourage your kids to be more active is to do an activity with them or at least have an invested interest in it. For example, get involved in a sport where you can spend time together designing gear like custom wrestling singlets or a surfboard. This can make an activity or sport more interesting and fun.
Or you can try an everyday activity like skateboarding or ice skating. Maybe take them to see a hockey game or volleyball tournament to see if it piques their interest. Look for classes in your local area, and especially things that you could try, or at least watch, together. Make exercise a fun family activity, instead of a chore that they have to complete.
It’s also worth thinking outside the box. Don’t just try popular sports. Look for other things. You might all enjoy a family hike or bike ride, or they might love to line dance. Try things that are new to all of you.
Play at outside often
If you are moving, you are being active. You’re burning calories, getting a workout and giving yourself a great chance at getting a good night’s sleep. These movements don’t need to come from formal exercises or sports. Playing in the park, running around your garden, fun at the beach, riding bikes in the street, or playing soccer in your front yard are all great ways to be more active and have more fun.
Walk & explore more
When we’ve got young kids, it’s tempting to drive even short distances to make life easier. But, that would definitely be a missed opportunity to get kids more active. Stop driving short distances, take the kids for walks instead, making it fun, chatting, playing games, and exploring your local neighborhood.
Make physical activity FUN!
Probably the best & easiest way to get kids more active is to make it fun. When kids are laughing & playing, even in an organized activity, they won’t even care that they are getting exercise.
Next time you’re outside with your kids, create an activity for them. You could set up an obstacle course the involves running, jumping, throwing, & balance skills. Better yet, invite some neighbor kids over and make it a relay race.
Water play is another great idea that they love and is sure to get kids’ activity. Jumping over sprinkles and running for the slip & slide are perfect ways to get moving and stay cool.
No matter which strategy you use to get your kids more active, know that you are being a wonderful role-model by encouraging them to have a life-long love for physical activity.
➵ I’d love to find out what are some fun or unique ways that you get your kids to be more active? Let me know in the comments below ❀
27 Comments
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tcleland88
Playing outside is great for kids! My kids also participated in several sports while they were young–all fun and engaging activities.
Syd
I wish I had played more sports when I was younger. But I was always in dance class lol
Rebecca Sanchez
I agree, when you make exercise fun you not only help in the moment but you are teaching a a child how to have a lifetime of joy! It doesn’t have to be about winning or losing as much as fun and movement!
Nicole Walker
Love these ideas! My parents always “let” us play outside to get our exercise in and I loved it!
Grace Esedeke | Today Was Fab
These are fantastic ideas. I’d rather have children around me be more physically active as it helps in their development than have them sit and stare at screens all the day.
Katie- Louise
Such great ideas for keeping kids fit, my childrena ll love taking part in sport activities.
LaTese
I love the idea about playing sports with your child. I truly make sure I learn every sport my son plays so I can help him out before his team practice.
vivirewellness
Sports is always a great way to get the kids to be more active.
Neil Alvin Nicerio
This article is perfect for my daughter thanks for sharing.
The Frugal Samurai
Awesome list! Spose it’s about letting the kids burn off that energy so they can sleep at night right! Haha
amandacroaff
Love this! I wish more kids wanted to do fun activities instead of play around on their ipad all day. More parents need this list!
Janay
This is a great list! I agree playing sports together and playing outside often is so important
Karletta
Yes! “Make Physical Activity Fun” … I know you’ve written this article for kids, but there are some great tips for us adults too 🙂 Just yesterday, I said to my husband. I need to have fun with exercise, otherwise I can’t sustain it. I’ve decided to dance instead for a while.
You, Me and Benny
what a great post! I remember when I was a kid how active I was – I need to be more active now too!
Polly Amora
These are such fun ideas! My mom used to enroll us in summer sports camps as a child. She also encouraged me to be active in girlscout (camping). That’s how I discovered my love for sports and the outdoors. I’d definitely encourage my future kids too to be more active such as doing sports and exploring. It’s sad that some would rather have their kids play with their tables/gadgets when there’s a gazillion fun and healthy activities to do.
Jaana McEntee
Great ideas! We try as much as possible to stay outdoors, especially at summer time, we rest on rainy days 🙂 Thank you for sharing!
clydequin93
This is really important that kids nowadays would still engage in some of these activities where they forget they have gadgets and internet connection lol.
Joanna
These are all great ideas! These days children spend way too much time indoors, stuck in front of a screen.
floridforest
Outside time is the best!
Deola
Great ideas. I have been looking for ways to get my girls to spend more outdoors. I especially like the idea of trying new sports together.
JENRON DESIGNS
Those are great ways to add in my exercise, and when you don’t know it is happening it is even better.
Judean
Exercise – call it anything but exercise! Love that very much – my nephews hate when I ‘make them’ exercise. It also hurts to call it running as well so instead, I don’t tell them anything – only that we are going outside and make sure you have good sneakers on!
Helene Goldnadel
Nice explanation. In this modern age, children are more sedentary than ever.
Viano Dee
Nothing is going to beat anything on this list than the first point : don’t call it exercise. I found that a bit funny.
Think Happy Thoughts
This is really helpful! Nowadays, a lot of kids are more drawn to technology than being active and it’s sad.
monidipa51
TBH I completely agree with it. These are good things to keep kids fit.
Sonja Hoff
Great ideas! I know as a kid, my parents put all 6 of us in multiple sports to keep us active and to occupy our time.Those activities turned into passions that we all carried into adulthood. So important!