Four fun exercise ideas for kids

I’ve got two words for you: childhood obesity. Nasty, aren’t they? That’s why we’re here to combat it. Stop it in its tracks. Prevent it from becoming an even bigger issue. How? By making exercise fun for kids, that’s how.

With a little forethought from you, the parent, as well as a teeny tiny bit of effort, you’ll no longer be forcing your kids to exercise on a daily basis – they’ll be begging you to get started instead.

FUN EXERCISE IDEA FOR KIDS #1: skipping rope
There’s a reason why ultra-fit boxers skip on a regular basis – it’s a great core workout, as well a heart rate-raising cardio exercise. Hence it’s also not just for girls; boys will enjoy the pace of skipping, too. Better yet, skipping ropes are super-cheap, and a short 10 minutes burns a whole heap of calories. You’ll also enjoy watching your kids discover new ways to jump rope. (Read: criss-crossing or Double Dutch.)

FUN EXERCISE IDEA FOR KIDS #2: dancing
Whether it’s joining an actual dance class or simply popping some tunes on loud for a solid dance-fest in the lounge room, dancing is one of the best incidental cardio exercises. Encourage your kids and their friends to come up with their own routines, too, and they’ll build confidence and coordination at the same time.

FUN EXERCISE IDEA FOR KIDS #3: wheelbarrow races
Gosh, some fun times were had with this activity when I was a child. Get your kids to embrace the great outdoors and partner up for a wheelbarrow race, where one player walks on their hands, while their partner holds one of their legs under each arm. It’s a great upper body workout for the ‘walker’, and body strength builder for the ‘holder’. It’ll also guarantee more than a few laughs, which is always good for the soul. Don’t have enough for partners? Try crab races instead (walking sideways on your hands and feet).

FUN EXERCISE IDEA FOR KIDS #4: obstacle courses
Great for indoor or outdoor exercise, and obstacle course is great fun for kids. From jumping over a log and running around a tree five times, to skipping rope for one minute and bouncing a ball for 30 seconds, obstacle courses can be easily set up no matter how much space you’ve got. You can also switch up the obstacles quickly and easily if you required indoor options (think jumping over a pillow, doing star jumps or push-ups, and lining up plastic cups as quick as possible). Get them to repeat it five or 10 times, and encourage them to come up with their own obstacles, too.

If you’ve got children, do they enjoy exercising? What tricks to you use to get them to exercise? And what are the best exercises for kids?