With enticing screens grabbing our children’s attention, it can be hard for kids to get the 60 minutes of exercise a day that they need. Rather than sending them off to do some physical activity alone, why not involve the whole family for loads of fun (and laughs)? Below we’ve put together a list of (super fun) family exercise games that will get everyone moving. They may even ask to play again!
1. Timed scavenger hunt
For this scavenger hunt, you can hide any items you want but hiding 5 of the same item (e.g. tennis balls) is what we suggest. To prepare, write down 5 short exercises on paper and hide those next to each tennis ball. You could write “5 jumping jacks” or “5 push-ups,” for example. When everything’s in place, set a timer for 5 minutes. As the time runs, your child’s goal is to find each tennis ball, complete the given exercise, and run the tennis ball back to you—in under 5 minutes!
2. Timed obstacle course
Kids love to be timed and race against the clock. Have your kids help you set up a homemade obstacle course either outside or indoors. Pillows, chairs, and anything that can be climbed or jumped over works well. Once the course is set up, take turns timing each other to see who can complete the obstacle course the fastest. This is a great family exercise game in disguise!
3. Dance party!
Turn up the music for a dance party! Having a family dance party is a fun way to get everyone’s blood flowing and hearts beating. If you’re not sure what music to play, have each member of the family take turns playing one of their favorite songs. They can be dubbed the “dance party DJ.” For even more fun, play “freeze dance,” where the DJ randomly stops the song. When the song stops, everyone freezes in place!
4. Balloon bop
For this game, fill up a balloon (or a few) with air. As a family, attempt to keep all the balloons up in the air. If one falls to the ground, the balloon is out of play. See how long you can keep the balloons up as a group. Another way to play is to try and bop a balloon from one person to another without it hitting the ground. Make sure to use balloons filled with regular old air because helium balloons may not come down!
5. Bowling at home
If you love bowling, you’re going to love this DIY family exercise game. Make your own bowling alley at home with a ball of choice and water bottles. A long hallway or space outdoors makes a good alley. Simply use water bottles instead of bowling pins and get ready to bowl! This is a great game to play indoors or outdoor. You can even keep score if you really want to get competitive!
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6. Animal races
For a good laugh (and workout), play this family exercise game! Have everyone decide what animal they want to be and get ready to race each other as that animal. For example, if you’re a frog, you will race by hopping. Another way to determine what animal everyone will be is to write down animal names on pieces of paper and fold them up. Each family member then picks a paper to find out what animal they will be. Then the race begins!
7. Tag!
Tag is a classic game of chase and probably the highest level of exercise you can partake in as a family. To change up this timely game, try one of these variations of tag: flashlight tag or tickle tag. Flashlight tag involves tagging people with the light of a flashlight. Tickle tag involves tickling the person you tag! Regardless of what game you play, it is certain that you and the family will burn a lot of energy (and calories) running around.
8. Cleanup race
Want to get your kids moving and have a clean house? Turn cleanup into family exercise games by seeing how fast your kids can pick up their toys, put their laundry away, make their bed, etc. Preschool kids also have fun with this game as they attempt to move as fast as possible. Joining in on the cleanup will be even more motivating (and fun) for the kids!
9. Hopscotch
For simple family exercise games, break out the chalk and play games of hopscotch! With hopscotch, you can make the “board” as short or long as you want; you can even add curves. For older children, consider adding more challenges to the board, such as blocks that are farther apart (in length or width). You could also write specific tasks that have to be accomplished (like doing 5 push-ups) before hopping to the next space. All you need is chalk and one rock for these family exercise games!
10. Popsicle stick roulette
For a random game, write down a variety of exercises on a bunch of popsicle sticks and then place them in a jar. Each family member can then take a turn pulling out a popsicle stick and completing their exercise challenge. Family exercise games like this one are easy to customize to fit you and your children’s physical abilities. Plus, it’s fun to anticipate what exercise you’re going to get!
11. Red light, green light
If you’ve never played Red Light, Green Light, you’re in for some old-fashioned family fun. One person (the “caller”) stands away from the rest of the players. The rest of the players start at the same time and walk (or run) ahead to the caller only when the caller says “green light.” As soon as they say “red light,” all players must stop. All commands must be obeyed in this family exercise game, with the goal being to be the first person to reach the caller. There are more fun ways to add commands to this game to change it up.
12. Copycat
Sometimes it’s the most fun (and hilarious) to play a game of copycat. Whoever is the leader will run, walk, hop, dance, or do whatever they please while the other family members attempt to copy their exact moves. Children will love trying to copy their parents and watching their parents try to copy them! This is the perfect family exercise game that brings out everyone’s imagination.
What’s great is that all these family exercise games can be played by almost any age. So, grab your little ones and choose which family exercise games to play together. I bet your kids won’t even know they are exercising because of all the fun they’ll have with you!
Does your family have a favorite game they play that gets everyone moving? Share below!
Morgan French is a wife, mom of two, writer & editor. After traveling for 3 years with her family, she now lives back in her hometown of Dayton, OH. She makes frequent stops for coffee, enjoys the outdoors, and loves board games.
Great ideas! I especially love the bowling at home! So easy!
I love all of these ideas! I can’t wait until my son is big enough to do some of these. Saving for future reference! :)
Hello, Morgan. I loved your blog, it’s very interesting, thank you so much for sharing your ideas!