I don't have any young ones myself, but I hope that these ideas from looking after my wonderful 13 nieces and nephews may be helpful! I'm sure that it must be challenging to find time for fitness when you have little ones running around. To help keep both yourself and your kids active, here are some ideas to incorporate fitness into playtime!
Dance Party
Turn up the music and have a dance party in your living room! Let your child choose their favourite song and encourage them to dance like nobody is watching. You can join in, or you could add in some bodyweight squats, star jumps, lunges or mountain climbers too. This will be fantastic cardio and a wonderful way to bond with your kiddos.
Obstacle Course Challenge
Set up a mini obstacle course in your backyard or living room using everyday items like cushions, chairs and hula hoops. Create stations where your kids can jump, crawl and balance and demonstrate how to do it. This will improve yours and your children's coordination and agility, and it's also great screen-free time.
Nature Scavenger Hunt
If you like to hike but your children get bored easily, stash some Freddo chocolate frogs, toy cars or other bits and bobs in your pocket and throw them ahead of the path when your children aren't looking. They will be delighted to find treasure! You can also encourage them to look for interesting rocks, leaves or feathers.
Follow the Leader
This classic game is perfect for incorporating various exercises. Take turns being the leader and come up with different moves to follow. You can hop on one foot, skip, do star jumps or even yoga poses. The possibilities are endless, and your kids will love being in charge and coming up with creative moves.
Storybook Fitness
This one will be a game changer if you have a wriggly child who doesn't like to sit still and read! Combine storytime with exercise by acting out the stories. If you're reading about animals, mimic their movements - hop like a bunny, slither like a snake, or roar like a lion. This imaginative play not only makes the story more engaging, but also incorporates various physical activities.
Park Playtime
Next time you head to the park, join in on the fun instead of sitting on the sidelines. Swing on the swings, climb the jungle gym, or play a game of tag. You could do incline push ups on a park bench, squats while holding onto the swing-set railing, or mountain climbers with your hands on the edge of the slide. Parks are full of opportunities for physical activity, and your kids will love having you as their playmate.
Try not to complicate fitness with young children. The key is to make it fun and engaging for both you and your kids. By turning exercise into play, you're not only staying active but also teaching your children the importance of a healthy lifestyle. So next time you're looking for a way to get moving, try one of these playful activities and enjoy some quality family time while staying fit!
Until next time!
Chantelle x
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