Juggling work and family is tough enough. Adding fitness time is extra challenging and often the first thing to be left unchecked from your to-do list. To help you spend quality time with your family and keep fit, I’ve put together a two-part series of fun, family-friendly activities that will have your entire family moving.
Play Games: in your backyard, a park, a field or on a beach
- Throw a Frisbee, kick a ball around or play a game of tag or monkey in the middle.
- Set up a badminton or volleyball net (or pretend you have a net). Basketball hoops are easy to come by outdoors. You can also get your own.
- Create some friendly teams or just shoot some one-on-one hoops.
Play Games: at home, a community centre, a recreation centre or a club
- Head to a bowling alley for a family game or join a family league. You’ll lift some weight and improve hand-eye coordination.
- Find local tennis courts for a match of singles or doubles. Don’t know how to play? Register for family lessons.
- Compete playing console sports or fitness games that have you on your feet and moving. Dancing, boxing, snowboarding and yoga are just a few examples.
Get Fit for a Good Cause
Sign up for a charity or fundraising event. There are plenty to choose from all year round from 5km walks and runs to bike rides, to stair climbs, to jumping rope. As a family, you can raise awareness and funds in support of a cause and charity you want to help. You get to train for the event together, learn about the cause and about philanthropy. Typically, all ages and levels are welcome to these types of events. If there aren’t any events scheduled in your area, you can start your own family or neighbourhood event, and you can choose which organization you want to support.
Turn Chores into Fitness
Gardening is a good low-impact activity that also provides you with a daily dose of vitamin D. I especially recommend a vegetable and herb garden; it’s fun, educational and delish! Your kids can learn about the foods they grow, and their hard work is rewarded with fresh produce. Together you can also find and learn ways to preserve some of the foods you have in abundance and can share them with family, friends and neighbours.
Run errands on foot, in skates or by bicycle. Rather than rush through your errands, enjoy the journey and the scenery. Add a detour on the trip out and end with any errands that require you to carry things back. Suit up with a backpack to keep your hands free.
Other household chores can be fun when done together. Mopping, dusting and folding laundry are also quicker to get through when you work as a team. Doing active chores together, not only provides low-impact activity, it also gives you the opportunity to talk with your kids.
Come back next week for some more ideas to keep you and your family active and connected! We’d love to hear what you’re already doing to stay active with your family. Let us know in the comments section below.
Katya Mohsen is a personal trainer with over 10 years of experience in fitness and sports training. Catch her practical fitness advice Thursdays on Slice.ca.
