Fitness and Wellbeing: 25+ Ideas to Exercise with Kids

25+ Ideas to Exercise with Kids

It’s summertime, and I’m so excited to go on adventures, make some crafts, and bake some goodness with my kids. We’ve made a list of 50+ ideas to help make our summer FUN, most taken from my FUN WITH KIDS Pinterest board, but we’ve made our own list of something else to do this summer. I’ve also discussed with them that I would like to have exercise days, too, and they were ON BOARD to 3x a week all together (I’ll do 3 more on my own as I’m trying to tone up with weights). I love the idea of getting my kids involved in exercising, and they are at ages that they like it, and recognize how good it is for them.

We started today and did a circuit workout. I pinned a bunch to my Pinterest Exercise Board, so check them out. We first did THIS ONE.

I shared this picture on Instagram and Facebook of my kids doing some of the exercises this morning, and asked for more ideas, so I got the idea to share that list, to help inspire others to exercise with their kids this summer, too! I aim for 20-30 minutes of constant moving with the kids.

Most of these are free, or can be done at home.

Here is the list that I already had in mind, plus what readers shared:

Mom runs while kids run or bike ride along side
Swim Laps at the pool
Circuit workout in house, driveway, or backyard
Family bike ride (I pull my youngest in trailer behind)
High school or middle school track and do bleacher runs
Run around the track at a school (little ones likely play in middle field)
Backyard Soccer or kickball
Wheelbarrow races (we have one, borrow another)
Relay races (frog jumps, crab walk, wheelbarrow, etc),
shoot hoops on the driveway
hopscotch at the elementary school or chalk on driveway
Freeze tag, when you are frozen, jog in place
Hiking on a trail
Sprints up and down your street, Little ones tally times gone
Jump rope and jumping jacks alternate
Dance party
Tennis
Yoga (Cosmic Kids and Yoga Kids were recommended to me, never tried them)
Trampoline tricks
skipping and speed walk alternate
hopping backwards
create an Obstacle course in backyard
Walk to the store or along a trail
Just Dance on the Wii
Roller skate in the neighborhood or at a rink

Someone also left a link for 25 Exercise Games and Fun Indoor Activities to get kids moving, so check that out, too!

Of course you’d have to cater each one to your family. If you have little ones, some might be trickier. My 5 year old likes to imitate us, and does pretty well for 20-30 minutes hanging out if she doesn’t want to actually do it. It’s still important for those little ones to SEE exercise, even if they aren’t actually doing it!

I made a little something that you can print out, show your kids, and have them help you pick what you’ll do each time! Just shake it up and have fun!