Hi everyone, I’d love to get my kids more active, but they see exercise as a chore. How do you make workouts fun for kids so they actually enjoy moving? Any creative ideas are welcome! Thanks! — Amelia
Hi Amelia,
Great question! Making workouts fun for kids is all about turning exercise into an engaging and playful activity rather than a chore. From my experience working with children and families, here are some ideas that might help:
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Incorporate Games: Turn workouts into games like obstacle courses, scavenger hunts, or relay races. Kids love the element of play, and it keeps them moving without feeling like structured exercise.
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Use Music and Dance: Playing their favorite upbeat songs and encouraging dance sessions can make movement enjoyable. You can even have dance-off competitions or follow-along dance videos designed for kids.
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Set Challenges and Rewards: Friendly challenges, like who can do the most jumping jacks or hold a plank the longest, can motivate kids. Small rewards or praise can reinforce their efforts and make it exciting.
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Get Creative with Themes: Create themed workouts based on their favorite characters, animals, or stories. For example, “Superhero Training” or “Animal Safari” where they mimic animal movements.
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Family Involvement: Exercise together as a family. Kids often enjoy activities more when they see their parents participating and having fun too.
Remember, the key is to keep it light, fun, and pressure-free. Kids are more likely to develop a positive attitude toward movement when they associate it with enjoyment and play. Hope these ideas help! Would love to hear what works for your family as you try them out.
Hi Amelia (@AmyR_Exploration),
Oh, I can totally relate to this! Getting my two (I’ve got a 9-year-old and a 13-year-old) to see exercise as anything other than a “chore” can definitely feel like an uphill battle sometimes. You’re so not alone in this!
For us, the biggest thing has been trying to disguise the “workout” part. My kids are much more likely to get moving if it doesn’t feel like forced exercise. We’ve had some success with:
- Family Adventures: Instead of saying “let’s go exercise,” we’ll say “let’s go on a bike ride to that new ice cream shop” (the ice cream is a good motivator, haha!) or “let’s explore that hiking trail and see if we can spot some cool birds.” Even just a walk around the neighborhood can be fun if we turn it into a scavenger hunt (who can find 5 red cars, a house with a blue door, etc.).
- Making it a Game: Backyard obstacle courses are a hit with my youngest – using cushions, hula hoops, jump ropes, whatever we have lying around. For my eldest, sometimes it’s more about challenges, like seeing who can do the most jumping jacks in a minute or trying to beat their own time running a lap around the park. We also do a lot of spontaneous dance parties in the living room – just put on some upbeat music and let loose!
- Letting Them Choose: Sometimes I just ask them! “What sounds like a fun way to move our bodies today?” You’d be surprised what they come up with. Sometimes it’s tag, sometimes it’s kicking a ball around, sometimes it’s even just helping with more active yard work (if I frame it as a “mission,” ha!).
- Tech for Good: We do use some tech to help! There are some fun dance games on consoles, or those kid-friendly workout videos on YouTube. My 9-year-old actually enjoys those.
It’s funny, finding that balance between enough active time and too much screen time is a constant juggle, isn’t it? That’s actually one of the reasons I started looking into parental control apps a while back. I’m no tech expert, just a mom trying to keep up! I’ve tried a fair few, and honestly, mSpy has become my go-to. It’s not specifically for fitness, of course, but it helps me understand what they’re doing online and how much time they’re spending on their devices.
For me, it’s been a lifesaver for peace of mind, especially with my 13-year-old navigating more of the online world. But an unexpected bonus is seeing their app usage. If I notice screen time is way up, it’s a good nudge for me to say, “Okay, gang, devices down, let’s head outside!” or suggest one of our active “games.” It just helps me get a clearer picture of their day-to-day so I can gently encourage more balance. It’s been really helpful for our family to understand their digital world a bit better, which in turn helps me guide them towards healthier habits all around.
It’s all trial and error, isn’t it? What works one week might not work the next! Don’t get discouraged. Just keep trying different things, and eventually, you’ll find what clicks with your kids.
Hope some of these ideas help a little! You’ve got this!
Warmly,
A fellow mom navigating the ups and downs! 
Great question, Amelia! I love your proactive approach. Big shoutout to the folks above who mentioned making it a game—totally agree that turning movement into play works wonders. At our house, I set “tech-free hours” where my teen has to put her phone down and we try out things like dance-offs, scavenger hunts, or friendly step challenges. It’s not just about exercise—it’s quality time together, too. I haven’t used a parental control app yet, but I keep considering it to help with screen limits. Until then, setting routines and joining in the activities makes it more fun and less like another rule. Anyone else try team sports or family challenges?
Hello Amelia, I completely understand your concern about making workouts enjoyable for kids! As a grandparent, I’ve found that turning exercise into a game or a challenge really helps. Simple things like dance parties, treasure hunts, or obstacle courses can make moving around feel like playtime instead of a chore. I’m not very tech-savvy, but I’m learning that setting little rewards or just joining in the fun ourselves encourages them. Has anyone tried using kid-friendly fitness apps? Would love to hear your thoughts!
Hi Amelia, you’ve raised a common challenge, and it’s great you’re looking for creative solutions! Engaging kids in fun activities is key. You might consider turning workouts into games, like obstacle courses or scavenger hunts, which make movement feel like play. Incorporating their favorite music and dancing can also boost their enthusiasm. Using sports or outdoor activities they enjoy, like bike rides or nature walks, can make exercise feel less like a chore. Remember, the goal is to keep it light and enjoyable so they develop a positive attitude toward staying active. Great question—hope these ideas help!
@OrbitShifter, for your question about kid-friendly fitness apps, there are actually several designed specifically to make movement fun for children. GoNoodle and Sworkit Kids offer interactive, game-like exercises and dance routines that keep kids motivated. Some apps also provide playful challenges, customizable workouts, and engaging visuals. If you’re looking for parental oversight, apps like Family Link let you monitor app usage and set healthy screen time boundaries, making it easier to balance activity and tech time. Don’t worry about being super tech-savvy—these apps are generally user-friendly and offer tutorials. If you ever want detailed advice on setup or comparisons between options, feel free to ask!
Hi Amelia, that’s a great question! While I don’t have kids, I’ve always believed in fostering autonomy and trust. I think the same principles apply here. Instead of forcing workouts, maybe explore activities together as a family. Think bike rides, hikes, or even dancing to music. Make it about shared experiences and enjoyment, not just exercise. This approach builds a positive association with movement, which is more sustainable in the long run.
Hi Amelia, I understand your challenge! Making exercise fun often involves disguising it as play. Try incorporating games like tag, dance-offs, or obstacle courses. Involve them in the planning, letting them choose activities they enjoy. Remember, the goal is to associate movement with positive experiences, not forced routines. Good luck!
Hi Amelia, that’s a wonderful goal! We’ve found the secret is to not call it “exercise” at all.
Instead of structured workouts, we focus on just getting outside and playing together. A simple walk can become a grand adventure if you turn it into a nature scavenger hunt, looking for specific leaves or interesting rocks. We also love impromptu dance parties in the living room (radio on, phones off!) or building epic forts in the backyard.
It’s amazing how much movement happens when kids are just having fun and using their imaginations. It becomes less about “working out” and more about creating wonderful family memories. Good luck
Hey Amelia! I don’t have kids myself, but I vividly remember hating anything that felt like a forced ‘workout.’ My advice comes from that perspective! Maybe try shifting the focus from exercise to just having fun together. Instead of saying ‘let’s work out,’ try ‘who wants to have a dance party?’ or ‘let’s go explore that new trail.’
When it feels like a shared activity based on their interests rather than a mandatory chore, it builds that trust and connection. It’s all about collaboration instead of control, you know? Hope that perspective helps