I recently shared a guest blog with nutrition coach Claire Greenhouse’s audience around the dos and don’ts of feeding children, so Claire is now returning the favour and sharing her expertise on how to get both yourself and your children active. Claire’s focus in her work is on holistic health, so it’s no surprise she emphasises the importance of staying active—not just for adults, but for children as well.
Finding Creative Ways to Stay Active with a Toddler
As an aunty to a lively three-year-old, we often find it challenging to get both our exercise and walks in. Soft play areas usually involve sitting and watching her, so we’ve had to think of more creative ways to stay active. She tends to find walking boring, and more often than not, she either asks to be carried or flat-out refuses to budge.
However, we’ve discovered that the best way to get her active is to turn it into a game. It’s actually more fun for us that way as well.
The Importance of Role Modelling
Children are natural imitators. When they observe their parents being active, they are more likely to adopt similar habits.
Research shows that children with physically active parents tend to engage in more physical activity themselves. This reinforces the idea that parental behaviour is a strong predictor of children’s activity levels.
By prioritising fitness, parents can instil healthy values in their children, promoting a lifestyle that supports physical well-being from a young age.
Physical activity is linked to improved mental health outcomes, including reduced anxiety and depression. When families exercise together, they not only enhance their physical health but also their emotional well-being.
Exercising as a family provides quality bonding time, enhances relationships, and fosters communication.
When children participate in physical activities with their parents, they often feel more confident in their abilities, leading to increased self-esteem and a positive body image—crucial elements during their developmental years.
With all this in mind, here are some fun and engaging activities that parents can do with their kids to make fitness fun and enjoyable:
- Play Tag Instead of Walking
If your child finds walking boring, turn it into a game of tag at a local park or field. We’ve taken footballs and tennis balls to play catch, too.
These games keep kids engaged while giving you a good workout!
- Be Active During Sports Practice
Rather than standing on the sidelines watching your kids play football or sitting in your car while they practice, put on some waterproof gear and use this time to walk or jog around the field.
It’s a great way to stay active while being present for your child.
- Indoor Fun with YouTube
During the winter months, when it’s dark and rainy, consider using YouTube for family workouts.
There are plenty of fun activities available, such as kids’ Zumba or yoga sessions, that you can do together in the comfort of your home.
- Swimming
If the weather is awful, swimming can be a fantastic indoor activity. It’s not only fun but also a great way to stay active without breaking the bank.
- Split Supervision at the Park
When your child is playing in the park, and you’re with another adult, consider splitting the supervision. This way, one of you can engage in a quick walk or workout while the other watches the kids. It’s a win-win!
- Fitness Challenges
Set up daily or weekly fitness challenges, like who can do the most jumping jacks or hold a plank the longest. This can be adjusted for all ages, making it fun for everyone.
- Family Fun Runs
Sign up for local fun runs or charity walks that encourage family participation. These events often have activities for kids and can be a great way to promote fitness as a family.
- Bike Rides
Whether your child is learning to ride a bike or can already do so independently, biking is a fantastic way to stay active together.
If they’re not quite ready to ride alone, you can still enjoy the outdoors while helping them learn and get your steps in at the same time.
- DIY Obstacle Course
Create a fun and challenging obstacle course in your backyard using household items like hula hoops, cones, and cardboard boxes. Time each family member as they navigate the course to encourage friendly competition.
- Nature Scavenger Hunt
Organise a scavenger hunt in your local park or backyard. Provide a list of items for family members to find, such as specific leaves, rocks, or flowers. This activity combines physical activity with exploration and learning, making it both fun and educational.
Summary
It’s easy to put our own health and fitness on the backburner when we’ve got children to look after. But as a minimum, we should be getting in regular activities such as walking for health benefits. The activities above should give some inspiration to help.
By turning exercise into a game or a fun activity, you can encourage a love for fitness that lasts a lifetime.
So, lace up your shoes, gather your family, and start making fitness and moving a fun part of your daily routine!
Read more
If you’d like to find out more benefits of walking, you can check out the blog I’ve written on How Walking Protects You from The Major Causes of Early Death.
About Claire Greenhouse
Claire is an Online Nutrition Coach and Personal Trainer specialising in helping women in their 40s who have struggled with yo-yo dieting or hormonal weight loss challenges.
She believes in a balanced approach to nutrition—life is for living, and restrictive diets are not the solution.
Claire works with her clients to prioritise genuine fat loss over simply reducing weight and teaches them how to care for their health as they age.
To find out more about Claire, her courses, workshops and online courses visit her website, or follow her on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.