Family Exercise Ideas

We know that keeping active has many health benefits for both our bodies and minds; exercise helps to keep our physical health in check by maintaining our energy balance, strengthening our bones and muscles and keeping our lungs and hearts functioning well. Exercise is also great for our mental wellbeing and can increase focus – plus finding a type of movement that you enjoy is loads of fun!

But what if keeping active could also help you spend quality time and bond with your family?! Here are some quick tips and family exercise ideas…

Agree on some goals together as a family, but remember to make them SMART – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time based.

Think less “exercise more” and more “walk 30 minutes every day”

Family routines are busy, so schedule your activity in to fit around your life. For example – walk to school on Mondays and Tuesdays when Mum doesn’t start work until 10am. Have a weekly family games night when Dad finishes work at 4pm.

Download and print out our Routine Planner to keep track of your plans!

If you can’t agree on a sport to do together, or maybe you’re just not that into playing sports, there’s loads of fun ways to exercise together as a family. Some of these things can be incorporated easily into your every day life, or are fun activities you can make a weekend out of!

• Tag 
• Throw and catch  
• Skipping rope  
• Hula hoop  
• Dance (musical statues, bop around to your favourite family tunes, or learn some of these Disney dances!)
• Walk the dog (or borrow one!) 
• Explore local wildlife
• Jog and walk (not every run has to be a 100% effort!) 
• Bike ride 
• Play at the park  
• Have TV advert fitness breaks (e.g., hold plank for the duration of the advert, jumping jacks for the next …)  
• Include activity as part of a celebration e.g., football birthday parties, rounders at a family BBQ, go for a long walk when visiting grandparents
• Walk/cycle/scoot/skate instead of drive 
• When you need to drive somewhere, park further away and walk the rest of the way.
• Take the stairs instead of the escalator or lift where possible