Discover 10 ways you can exercise with your family to encourage healthy habits.

 
Regular physical activity is an important part of living a healthy life for people of all ages. But sometimes, it can be challenging to find the time, motivation, or accountability to exercise on a regular basis. This can be doubly true if you're trying to instill healthy habits in your kid's routines, too!

However, finding fun ways to exercise with your family can be a great way to help everyone get that much needed physical activity. Whether it’s establishing a weekly routine or just finding time to get out and move your body when you can, exercising with your family can be a great way to help your whole family establish healthy habits.

Here are our 10 favorite ways to exercise with your family:

1. Go for a walk.

One of the easiest ways to get in some quick exercise with the family is to go for a walk. You can walk in your neighborhood or at a nearby park, and you can go for as long or as short as you want to—making it the ideal exercise for busy families.

To beat the Texas heat, try walking first thing in the morning or right before the sun sets. Don’t forget to put on your sunscreen before you head out, and bring your water bottle with you.

2. Head to the park.

If you’re looking for family exercises that don’t feel like exercises, head to the park. Your local park is the perfect place to let the kids run around and burn off some energy. (And you can too!)

Most parks have a variety of outdoor activities the whole family can enjoy. From classic playground equipment like swings and monkey bars to walking paths and hiking trails, there are plenty of ways to get active with the family. And you can end the day with a picnic filled with your favorite healthy snacks!

3. Go for a bike ride.

Riding bikes is not only a fun way to exercise, but it’s also something you can use as a way to bond with the whole family. Whether you’re going for a long ride on a bike trail or just a short spin around the neighborhood, biking is a great way to exercise with the family.

Remember to practice bike safety. Check the air in everyone’s tires and make sure the brakes are working properly before you head out. Make sure everyone knows how to properly wear their helmets and understands the rules of where you’ll be riding.

Have a few supplies on hand as well. You’ll need a basic first-aid kit with bandaids, gauze pads, and alcohol wipes. You’ll also want to bring along some hand sanitizer, water, and snacks for the road.

4. Have a dance party!

Dancing can be a fun way to spend time with the family while getting in some physical activity. Find a space in your home with enough space for the whole family to spread out and dance the night away. Put on some upbeat music, and just have fun with it.

If everyone in the family enjoys dancing, you might try taking a dance class. Learning different types of dance can be a great way to stimulate the mind while keeping the body active. Look for family dance classes in your area or sign the kids up and ask them to teach you their moves.

5. Play a classic outdoor game.

If the phrase “family workout” makes you want to run for the hills, try playing a game instead. Making your family exercise a game makes it feel less like work you have to do and more like something fun you want to do.

Here are just a few other classic outdoor games you can play with the whole family:

• Hide and seek
• Capture the flag
• Kickball
• Hopscotch
• Tag
• Jump rope
• Duck Duck Goose

6. Go bowling.

If you’re trying to beat the heat and need to find an indoor activity to keep the family busy, why not go bowling? Small children can use bumpers and a bowling ramp, while the older kids can try their hand at bowling without the bumpers.

If you don’t want to head to the bowling alley, you can practice bowling at home with a foam or plastic bowling set. You can still have fun in the air conditioning without having to rent any shoes!

7. Go for a swim.

It can get hot in Texas even when the summer is over! Beat the heat by going for a swim. Whether you’re at the local pool or in a natural body of water, swimming is a low-impact exercise that can be great for the whole family.

Take this as an opportunity to teach your child how to swim, play a game of Marco Polo, or just splash around for a while. If you have smaller children with you, find a place with a lifeguard on duty so you can feel protected in case of an emergency.

8. Try indoor rock climbing.

If you’re looking for more ways to exercise with your family that don’t require you to be outside, consider taking the family to a local rock climbing gym. While rock climbing can seem intimidating, there are guides who will give you instruction along the way.

If you’re worried about safety, rock climbing facilities have plenty of equipment and rules in place to keep everyone safe. Equipment like specialized shoes and chalk help you climb more safely, and the auto belay is there to catch you if you happen to fall.

9. Go kayaking or canoeing.

If you love being near the water, kayaking or canoeing can be an adventurous way to spend time outside being active with your loved ones. Find a location near you, like a park or river, where you can paddle. Then, rent a kayak or canoe at your local rental center, and don't forget the life vests.

If going out on your own seems too adventurous, take a guided tour instead. This can be a neat way to explore local wildlife and learn more about your area while spending time outdoors with your family.

10. Play sports together.

Play sports in your backyard or at the park with your family and other children from the area. Whether it’s soccer, basketball, baseball, or flag football, playing sports is a great way to bond with your family and learn skills like cooperation and communication while staying active.

If you don’t have enough players for the game, adapt it so it works for you, or try practicing specific skills like dribbling, kicking, or throwing. Once you find a sport the family loves, you can sign your child up for a community league so they can stay active throughout the year.

Try out a few of these fun ways to exercise, and see which your family likes most. Then, make some room on the calendar to exercise together at least once a week so everyone can stay active while building healthy habits.




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