Daily exercise is a key to good health. Every member of the family needs to be active. Family exercise is fun when you consider the appropriate exercise each age.

Personal Story

My five children are a variety of ages. It was a challenge to figure out exercise that each family member could enjoy. It was a challenge worth conquering. Family exercise was fun and provided connections which have been valuable as the years have flown by.

Fun for Everyone!

What activities could we all do together? We pondered this question and came up with our top five. Here they are:

1. Family walks are our favorite. We found city and state parks provided variety that kept our older teens involved.
2. Family hikes are longer walks we took, often in the Colorado Rockies. I would carry the baby and have the toddler by the hand or a “leash” to prevent falls on the way down the mountain. There were plenty of streams to throw pebbles in and I carried a blanket and snacks while the older kids went on up the mountain and back down. These are some of our family’s best memories.
3. Family bike rides were accomplished with the youngest children in a burly or on a tandem bike until they were old enough to go solo.
4. Bowling works as a family when the toddlers love playing with a soft ball in the background as the more serious competition took place on the alley
5. Yard games like croquet, bocce ball, or soccer provided opportunities for the older children to teach the younger ones throwing and kicking skills. We had a lot of fun in the process.

Preschoolers need an hour of adult-structured play and several hours of free play a day. Students and adults need exercise, too. Setting aside time to play and exercise together is well worth the effort.

Action Step

Schedule some family exercise today

May God bless your healthful endeavors!

Joni

P.S. Please encourage others by writing in the comment section about your family’s favorite exercise .