There’s no denying it: Exercise is not always the most enjoyable thing in the world. However, there’s no reason why your workouts should be a boring, painful affair. By getting the entire family involved, you make your fitness routine more fun as well as impart vital healthy living habits to your children. Below are 10 great ways to incorporate more activity into your family's everyday routine.
- Tag
Tag is a childhood classic that’s perfect for tricking the family into some long-distance running. It requires no equipment and can be played virtually anywhere, which makes it perfect for getting healthy on a budget. A quick Internet search reveals that there are countless variations on the original version, and that means you won’t be getting bored with tag any time soon.
- Family Dance Parties
The key to getting kids (or adults, for that matter) excited about exercise is to make it feel as little like exercise as possible. When you and your family are busting a move to your favorite songs, there’s no time to think about what a great cardiovascular workout you’re getting.
- Charity Walks
There are tons of great walking and running events that help raise money for some wonderful causes. From simple 5K's to full-blown marathons, there’s something out there for families of every fitness level. Using exercise to help others is the perfect way to keep fit and teach your children important lessons about compassion and charity.
- Fitness Video Games
Just because your family likes to play video games doesn’t mean you have to spend your time glued to the couch! Games like the Wii Fit are great for turning your time in front of the TV into a full-blown workout!
- Pet Play
Dogs provide companionship for kids and teach them important lessons about responsibility, but they’re also great for keeping the family active. Something as simple as taking Fido for a walk or playing fetch in the back yard can get your heart rate going.
- Camping
Taking a family camping trip will provide you with a ton of different exercise options that include hiking, swimming, canoeing, and more. Teaching your kids to enjoy the great outdoors will help nurture their love of exercise in the future.
- City Exploration
If your family lives in a large urban area, there are probably places in your city that you’ve never even seen! Take a walking tour of your town; you’ll see some new sights and get a great workout in the process.
- Trampoline Time
Many parents have concerns when it comes to trampolines, but there are plenty of ways to keep your kids safe while still reaping the benefits of this fun exercise aid. Trampoline nets can keep your kids from falling off, and you can even purchase in-ground trampolines! With these new innovations, there’s no reason why you can’t enjoy a little bouncy fitness.
- New Hobbies
From martial arts to gardening, there are lots of hobbies that can provide your family with a healthy dose of physical activity as well. Your library or other local organizations will likely offer classes for things like this for free or at a very affordable price.
- Outdoor Scavenger Hunts
Turn your family into a slew of sleuths with an outdoor scavenger hunt. You’ll get a fun dose of physical fitness with all your searching, and you can even turn the hunt into a learning affair by having your children identify particular plants and animals.