9 Ways To Keep Active As A Family | Parenting OC, Family Activities, Expert Advice, Health & Wellness, Fitness

Family walking together on a trail with dog — *(Photo Courtesy of iStock)*

How can we keep active as a family?

All ages

Between school drop-off and pick-up, work duties, homework and dinner prep, squeezing in a workout sounds like an impossible task — let alone making sure your kids are staying active, too. The good news? You don’t have to choose one or the other. Exercising with your kids is not only doable, but also a fantastic way to bond, build healthy habits and create some fun memories together.

Here’s how you can make fitness a family affair — without it feeling like a chore.

1. Make it a game. Kids are way more likely to get moving if they are playing instead of “exercising.” Think tag, obstacle courses or even a good old-fashioned dance-off in the living room. Activities like this help boost their general conditioning, coordination and balance, and chances are, you’ll be breaking a sweat too.

Ideas to try:

Backyard scavenger hunt
Freeze dance
Balloon volleyball

2. Schedule “movement time.” Just like meals or bedtime routines, set aside times for daily movement. Even 20-30 minutes of daily activity makes a big difference and doesn’t have to be all at once. Breaking activity into shorter periods over the course of the day counts just the same. By keeping it consistent, you help your kids develop a healthy routine they can carry with them into adulthood.

3. Take it outside. There’s something about fresh air that makes movement more exciting. Go for a walk, bike ride or hike as a family. If you’re near a park, let the kids run while you sneak in some squats or lunges nearby. Outdoor time also gives everyone a much-needed break from screens.

4. Get everyone moving at practice — including adults. Watching a child’s practice? Instead of sitting down the entire time, get moving. Walk laps, do stadium stair steps or play catch/kick balls on the sidelines. Don’t let the kids be the only ones getting exercise benefits.

5. Store up some great exercise tips. When heading to the store or mall, consider parking farther away to get in more steps before starting to shop. Another great idea is to walk the mall for 10-15 minutes before entering stores.

6. Lead by example. Kids are little sponges. If they see you moving your body and enjoying it, they’re much more likely to want to do it too. Talk about how good you feel, how strong you’re getting or how fun it is to move together.

7. Try a family challenge. Whether it’s a week of doing 10 push-ups a day, learning a new yoga pose or trying a different activity each night, challenges can keep things interesting. Track your progress together on a whiteboard or calendar and celebrate your wins at the end.

8. Set a timer and bust a move. Previously, when TV programs with commercials were more common, many would recommend doing some stairs, push-ups, sit-ups or jumping jacks during breaks in programming. Now if streaming is the thing, set a timer for 15 minutes and let the alarm signal time for a brief period of exercise.

9. Keep it lighthearted. The goal is movement and connection — not perfect form or Olympic-level endurance. If someone gets the giggles mid-plank or your toddler insists on doing “jumpy-jumps” instead of jumping jacks, just roll with it. That’s all part of the fun.

Final Thoughts

Exercising with your kids doesn’t have to be boring, complicated or time-consuming. With a little creativity and flexibility, you can turn everyday moments into opportunities for movement and joy. Plus, you’re giving your children a great gift: a lifelong love for staying active.

So, lace up your sneakers, grab your little workout buddy and get moving — together.