When I was young, my dad used to take us swimming every Sunday. Sometimes we swam up and down. Sometimes we played in the shallow end. And, sometimes he threw me in the air and squirted me with water.
I have amazing memories of swimming as a child. Now as an adult, I’ve returned to my “swimming roots”. It’s my hobby, sport and “energy giver”.
It’s one of the tools I use to help me feel fit and fabulous.
Doing these fun family exercise ideas is a fantastic way to get off the sofa and create memories for your kids. It will also set your kids up for life if they develop an activity habit. They won’t even think they’re “doing exercise”, it will just be “having fun”.
10 Simple Family Exercise Ideas
Roller Skating. Such fun! I learnt to roller skate at the age of 37, using my double buggy for support. Now I can whizz up and down, keeping up with my kids! Well nearly!
Trekking aka Walking. Simple but fun. I had a friend at school whose family did “letter boxing on Dartmoor” in the UK. The modern equivalent is geocaching. A simple walk will do. My kids love collecting sticks in the wood. We don’t get far but we have fun!
The possibilities are endless here are 10 more fun walk ideas for families.
Swimming. Pool or sea depending where you live! A fun way to exercise for everyone.
Friday Night Disco. Celebrate the end of the week with a family night disco. Put on your favourite tunes and twist and turn. Another family favourite. We even bought a glitter ball for extra sparkle!
Games in the Garden or Park. You don’t need heaps of space to do some outdoor games. Kick a ball around or play some playground favourites such as “Grannies Foot Prints” and “What’s the Time Mr Wolf?”. If you can get to a wood, our favourites are hide and seek and rin tin tin.
Cycling. If you have young kids you can use a bike seat or tow bar. We have cycle routes near us. (I’d be too scared to take my kids on a busy road!)
House/ Garden Work. Get them started young! House work and gardening is great exercise and a fantastic way to build team spirit. Kids will take pride in the work that they contribute.
Skipping. Either with a rope or elastic. Both are cheap and a great way to have fun and burn up some energy.
Go to the Beach. We love the beach in the winter when we can play frisbee and ball. And in the summer when we can swim.
Pack a Pic Nic. Combine a walk with a pic nic. Explore somewhere new and include some activities simple activities.
More Adventurous Family Exercise Ideas
There are heaps of adventurous activities that you can try out (depending on where you live and the age of your kids.)
These activities normally cost more.
- Kayaking/ SUP
- Sailing
- Skiing/ snow boarding
- Horse riding
- White water rafting
- Tree activities (fine a centre that has ropes and activities in the tree tops)
- Rock climbing (find a climbing wall near you)
Pick Something You’ll Enjoy
Remember that the aim is fun and connection. It doesn’t have to be expensive (unless you want it to). Just simple, easy fun and activity.
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Do you want to do even more activities as a family?
Join our fun Facebook community, Creative Family Fun for Busy Families, for daily activities that are great for kids and families. We’ll chat, share, and have fun. It’s a safe and private place to share ideas for family and kids activities.
I’d love for you to join me! Just click the link below, request to join, and answer the questions (they’re easy, I promise). Come join the fun! Join the Creative Family Fun for Busy Families community here.