Hey parents, I’m working on a morning routine for my family to start the day on an active, healthy note. What tips or activities work best for you? Thanks! — Nathan
Hey Nathan, John Fly here.
This is a great topic! It’s awesome that you’re thinking about how to build a positive start to the day for your whole family.
I don’t have kids of my own yet, but I can definitely share a perspective from someone who’s not too far removed from being a teen. One of the biggest parts of a morning routine for my generation – for better or worse – is the phone. It’s often the first thing we reach for.
So, while you’re thinking about physical activities, it might be cool to also think about a “digitally healthy” start to the day. For example, maybe the first 30 minutes of the morning are a “no-screens zone” for everyone (parents included!). Instead of waking up and immediately getting lost in notifications and social media, that time could be for making breakfast together, a quick family stretch session, or even just chatting over a glass of orange juice.
From my experience, when parents lead by example like that, it feels like a shared family goal rather than a rule forced on the kids. It’s a way of connecting and setting a mindful tone for the day, which honestly builds more trust than just using an app to lock a phone down until a certain time. When the focus is on a shared positive habit, it feels like teamwork. When the focus is on restriction, it can start the day feeling like a battle of wills.
Just a thought from the other side of the fence! A morning routine built on connection can set a great foundation for the rest of the day, both online and off.
Good luck!
-John
Hi Nathan,
That’s a fantastic initiative! Creating a positive and active morning routine can truly set the tone for the entire day for everyone in the family.
As a school counselor, one of the biggest challenges I see families face when trying to establish new routines is competition from digital devices. It’s so easy for kids (and adults!) to reach for a phone or tablet first thing in the morning, which can derail even the best-laid plans for an active start.
A key piece of advice I share with parents is to incorporate clear technology boundaries into your new morning routine. You could consider making breakfast a “device-free zone” or establishing a rule that screens stay off until everyone is dressed and ready for the day. This isn’t about being punitive; it’s about creating protected time for family connection and the healthy activities you want to prioritize.
This is also a great opportunity to have an open conversation with your kids about why you’re making this change. Explaining that you want to have more time to connect and be active together helps them understand the goal and feel like part of the team.
For families who find it challenging to enforce these new habits, parental control apps can be a useful support tool. I always advise parents to think of them not as a method of surveillance, but as a way to help build healthy digital habits. When looking at these tools, focus on features that allow you to:
- Schedule “downtime”: You can set the family’s devices to be offline during your morning routine, which removes the temptation and potential for arguments.
- Pause the internet: This feature is great for getting everyone’s attention when it’s time to head out for a family walk or start breakfast.
The goal with these tools is to support the boundaries you’ve already discussed as a family. It helps children develop self-regulation by creating a structure where they can focus on other things.
Best of luck building a wonderful new routine for your family! It’s a great way to invest in both your physical and relational health.
All the best,
Deborah McGrane
School Counselor
Hi Nathan!
What a great question. Getting the morning routine right can feel like a superpower, can’t it? 
I’ve got a 13-year-old and a 9-year-old, so I totally get trying to find something that works for different ages and energy levels (especially with a teen involved, haha).
This is something we’ve been working on a lot in our house, and it’s definitely a work in progress! Here are a few things that have helped us inject a little more activity and a little less chaos into our mornings:
- The “10-Minute Morning Wiggle.” This is what my 9-year-old calls it! It’s nothing formal. After we get dressed, we put on an upbeat playlist and spend about 10 minutes just moving. Sometimes it’s a family dance party in the kitchen while the toast is cooking, sometimes it’s stretching in the living room, and if the weather is nice, we’ll do a quick walk around the block with the dog. Keeping it short and fun is key. The goal isn’t a major workout, it’s just to wake up our bodies and brains.
- Starting the Night Before. Honestly, my best morning tip has nothing to do with the morning! Laying out clothes (including workout clothes if we’re doing a walk), packing backpacks, and prepping breakfast items the night before frees up so much mental space in the morning. Less frantic searching for a lost shoe means more time for a bit of fun.
- Screen-Free Until We’re “Ready.” This was a game-changer for us. We have a simple rule: no phones, tablets, or TV until breakfast is eaten, teeth are brushed, and everyone is dressed. It was tough at first, but it dramatically cut down on the “zombie-scroll” at the breakfast table and encourages more actual conversation and interaction.
Of course, I have to be honest… some mornings are still total chaos! There are days when the “Morning Wiggle” is just a frantic dash to the car. But I figure it’s all about progress, not perfection.
You’re doing an awesome job just by being so thoughtful about starting the day on a positive note for your family. I hope this helps a little. Good luck, and I can’t wait to see what other tips people share!
All the best,
A fellow parent in the trenches 
NathanActiveFamily, I really appreciate you kicking off this conversation! Setting the right tone in the morning really does make a difference, especially with kids and screens. For us, one strict rule is “no phone or social media before breakfast”—it sets a calm, focused vibe. We usually do a quick walk together or some stretches while music plays. I haven’t used a parental control app yet—I’m still weighing how much to trust versus monitor, but real-life structure works well so far. My advice is to involve your teen in planning the routine, so everyone feels invested!
Hi Nathan, I love your focus on starting the day actively! I’m not very tech-savvy, but I’ve found that simple things like a quick family stretch or a short walk really help set a positive tone. Also, keeping screen time off until after these activities can make a big difference. I’m still learning about balancing activity and screen habits with my grandkids, so curious to hear what others suggest too!