Healthy habits can be built at any age!
Getting active as a family doesn’t have to be a chore—turning exercise into a fun game can make everyone excited to move and be fit! These engaging games to get active as a family are perfect for all ages and can be played indoors or outdoors. It’s time to get your family up and moving for some fitness fun!
Why Family Games Matter
Incorporating physical activity into family time is important for health and bonding. Not only do these games promote fitness, but they also create lasting memories, improve communication, and help children develop motor skills. Whether you’re inside or outside, playing active games together is a great way to stay healthy and have fun as a family.
12 Fun Games to Get and Stay Active as a Family
Try one or more of these games to keep your family moving, laughing, and building a stronger connection!
1. Balloon Volleyball
How to Play: Set up an imaginary net or use a piece of string between two points (like chairs). Use a balloon instead of a volleyball, and try to keep it in the air by hitting it back and forth. Alternatively, you can skip the “net” and just take turns hitting the balloon to keep it from touching the ground.
Why It’s Fun: It’s low-impact, but still great for improving hand-eye coordination and keeping everyone on their toes!
2. Scavenger Hunt
How to Play: Create a list of items or clues to find around your house or yard. Add physical challenges (like “hop to the next clue” or “run to the tree”) to keep everyone moving. Feel free to get as creative as you like, and be sure to tell us about it in the comment section!
Why It’s Fun: This game combines problem-solving with physical activity, and kids will love the sense of adventure.
3. Freeze Dance
How to Play: Play music and let everyone dance. When the music stops, everyone has to freeze in place. The last person to stop moving is out, and the game continues until one winner remains.
Why It’s Fun: This high-energy game is great for burning off extra energy and works on balance, coordination, and agility.
4. Relay Races
How to Play: Set up a course with different challenges (sprints, hopping, crawling, climbing, etc.). Divide into teams and take turns completing each part of the course. The team that finishes first wins!
Why It’s Fun: Relay races encourage friendly competition, teamwork, and give everyone a chance to work on different skills.
5. Obstacle Course
How to Play: Create an obstacle course in your backyard or home using cushions, cones, chairs, and other household items. Time each family member as they navigate the course.
Why It’s Fun: It’s customizable and can be made as easy or as challenging as you want, providing a full-body workout in a fun and creative way.
6. Kickball
How to Play: A classic! Divide into teams and play a friendly game of kickball, where the kicker must kick the ball and run to the bases without getting out.
Why It’s Fun: It’s an easy-to-learn game that provides a great cardio workout, while encouraging teamwork and coordination.
7. Tag Variations
How to Play: Play traditional tag, or mix it up with fun variations like “Shark and Minnows,” where the “shark” tries to tag the “minnows” as they run across a designated area.
Why It’s Fun: These fast-paced games get the whole family moving, and the variations keep it exciting and unpredictable.
8. Animal Races
How to Play: Have everyone race to a designated spot using animal-inspired movements. For example, hop like a frog, waddle like a penguin, or crawl like a crab.
Why It’s Fun: This game is full of laughs and helps build strength, balance, and coordination while mimicking animals’ movements.
9. Simon Says
How to Play: Another throwback. One person (Simon) gives commands like “jump,” “run in place,” or “touch your toes.” The key is to only follow commands that start with “Simon says.” If someone follows a command without hearing “Simon says,” they’re out!
Why It’s Fun: This classic game encourages listening skills and can be a fun way to sneak in movement without kids even realizing it!
10. Nature Walk with a Twist
How to Play: Take a family walk through the park or nature, but with a twist—assign everyone a specific task, like “skip five times” or “jump over each puddle you see.” We also like to give each kiddo a bucket and have them search for specific items like pine cones, acorns, or seashells.
Why It’s Fun: This adds excitement and variation to a simple walk, making it more engaging for kids while still being easy for everyone to participate in.
11. Hula Hoop Challenge
How to Play: See who can hula hoop the longest! Or, set up a timed relay where each person must hula hoop for a set amount of time before passing it on to the next player.
Why It’s Fun: It’s a great way to work on coordination and core strength, all while having fun and competing with one another.
12. Parachute Play
How to Play: Use a large sheet or parachute and have the family hold on to the edges. Toss a light ball or balloon onto the parachute and work together to keep it bouncing.
Why It’s Fun: This game requires teamwork and coordination, making it fun for everyone while also giving the arms and legs a workout.
These games to get active as a family are so much fun and will instill healthy habits into even the youngest family members. When fitness is fun, it’s much more sustainable!
What’s your family’s favorite game to stay active? Let us know in the comment section below.
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