Indoor Exercise Ideas for Kids: Fun and Easy Parent-Friendly Activities

In today’s digital age, it can be challenging to get kids off the couch and engaged in physical activity. However, it is crucial for their overall health and development to incorporate exercise into their daily routines. Luckily, there are plenty of fun and creative indoor exercises that can keep kids active and entertained. Let’s explore some of these exciting activities!

1. Circuit Training:
Create a circuit in your house by designating different areas for various exercises. Label each area with moves like jumping jacks, hops, planking, push-ups, or squats. Set a timer and do a circuit together, spending a specific amount of time at each station. This activity not only promotes physical fitness but also helps kids develop coordination and balance.

2. Indoor Hopscotch:
Using painters tape, create an indoor hopscotch grid on your floor. Kids can jump from one square to another, following the traditional hopscotch rules. This game not only enhances balance and coordination but also provides a fun way to exercise.

3. Home Bowling:
Set up a bowling alley in your living room using plastic cups as pins and a tennis ball or baseball as the bowling ball. Encourage kids to take turns rolling the ball and knocking down the pins. This activity promotes hand-eye coordination and engages the muscles in their arms and legs.

4. Jump Rope:
Jumping rope is a classic and effective aerobic exercise. Clear out some space in your house and provide a jump rope for your kids. Jumping rope not only improves cardiovascular fitness but also enhances coordination, agility, and balance.

5. Dance Party:
Turn up the music and have a dance party with your kids! Dancing is a fantastic way to get moving and have fun at the same time. Encourage your children to let loose and express themselves through dance. It is a great aerobic exercise that improves flexibility, coordination, and endurance.

6. Martial Arts:
Consider enrolling your kids in a martial arts class or practicing some basic moves at home. Martial arts, such as karate or taekwondo, provide an excellent full-body workout. They help improve strength, flexibility, balance, and discipline.

7. Running in Place:
Running in place is a simple yet effective aerobic activity that can be done indoors. Clear out a space in your house, set a timer, and have your kids run in place for a specific amount of time. This exercise helps strengthen leg muscles, improves cardiovascular fitness, and boosts endurance.

8. Push-Ups and Squats:
Include muscle-strengthening exercises like push-ups and squats in your indoor exercise routine. These exercises engage multiple muscle groups and help build strength in the upper body, core, and lower body. Start with a few repetitions and gradually increase as your kids become more comfortable.

9. Resistance Band Exercises:
If you have resistance bands at home, incorporate them into your kids’ exercise routine. Resistance band exercises, such as bicep curls or overhead presses, provide resistance and help build muscle strength. They are safe and effective for children when performed under adult supervision.

10. Yoga:
Introduce your kids to the benefits of yoga. Yoga poses promote flexibility, strength, and balance. There are plenty of kid-friendly yoga videos available online, making it easy to follow along and have a fun yoga session together.

11. Ball Games:
Engage in indoor ball games like basketball, soccer, or volleyball. Create a makeshift court or goal using household objects. These games not only provide physical exercise but also improve hand-eye coordination and teamwork skills.

12. Obstacle Course:
Set up an obstacle course in your house using pillows, furniture, and other safe objects. Have your kids navigate through the course, crawling under tables, jumping over cushions, and balancing on lines. This activity enhances motor skills, coordination, and problem-solving abilities.

Remember, kids need a mix of aerobic, muscle-strengthening, and bone-strengthening activities for their overall health and well-being. Encourage them to engage in at least one hour of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day. Make indoor exercise fun and interactive, and your kids will be more likely to embrace an active lifestyle. So, let’s get moving and have a blast while staying fit indoors!

How Can Kids Exercise Indoors?

To help kids exercise indoors, there are several activities and exercises that can be done within the house. Here are some ideas:

1. Living Room Circuit:
– Label different areas in your living room with exercises such as jumping jacks, hops, planking, push-ups, or squats.
– Set a timer for each exercise and move from one area to another, completing the designated exercise for the specified time.
– This circuit-style workout will keep kids engaged and active.

2. Indoor Hopscotch:
– Use painter’s tape to create a hopscotch grid on the floor.
– Number the squares and have kids hop from one square to another, following the sequence and rules of traditional hopscotch.
– This activity helps with balance, coordination, and leg strength.

3. Home Bowling:
– Set up a makeshift bowling alley using plastic cups as pins and a tennis ball or baseball as the bowling ball.
– Arrange the cups in a triangular formation at one end of a hallway or room.
– Have kids take turns rolling the ball and try to knock down as many cups as possible.
– This game promotes hand-eye coordination and can be a fun way to burn energy indoors.

4. Dance Party:
– Clear some space in a room and put on some music.
– Encourage kids to dance freely, following the rhythm and moving their bodies.
– Dancing is a great cardiovascular exercise that improves coordination and flexibility.

5. Balloon Volleyball:
– Blow up a balloon and create a makeshift volleyball court in a room.
– Set up a “net” using a string or a low piece of furniture.
– Kids can play a game of volleyball by hitting the balloon back and forth over the net, trying to keep it from touching the ground.
– This activity improves hand-eye coordination and gets kids moving.

6. Yoga or Stretching:
– Set up a designated area for yoga or stretching exercises.
– Use online videos or apps specifically designed for kids to guide them through different poses and stretches.
– Yoga and stretching help improve flexibility, balance, and relaxation.

Remember to ensure the safety of the indoor environment and supervise kids during these activities. Encourage them to stay active and have fun while exercising indoors.

indoor exercise for kids

What Are Good Exercises for 10-Year-Olds at Home?

When it comes to exercise for 10-year-olds at home, it’s important to incorporate a mix of aerobic, muscle-strengthening, and bone-strengthening activities. Here are some examples of each:

Aerobic activities:
1. Jump rope: This fun and effective exercise can be done indoors or outdoors.
2. Dancing: Encourage your child to dance to their favorite music, which helps improve cardiovascular fitness.
3. Martial arts: Consider enrolling your child in online martial arts classes or finding instructional videos to follow along with.
4. Running in place: This simple exercise can be done in a small space and helps elevate heart rate.

Muscle-strengthening activities:
1. Pushups: Teach your child how to do proper pushups using their own body weight.
2. Squats: This exercise targets the muscles in the legs and can be done without any equipment.
3. Resistance exercises using body weight or resistance bands: These exercises help build strength and can include movements like lunges, planks, or bicep curls.
4. Yoga: Look for child-friendly yoga routines online that focus on building strength.

Bone-strengthening activities:
1. Jumping activities: Encourage your child to jump on a trampoline or do jumping jacks, which help strengthen bones.
2. Skipping: Skipping rope is not only an aerobic exercise but also helps promote bone health.
3. Hopping and skipping games: Incorporate games like hopscotch or skipping rope games that involve jumping and hopping.

Remember, it’s important to ensure that these exercises are safe and appropriate for your child’s age and abilities. Encourage them to have fun and make exercise a regular part of their routine.

What is the Best Exercise for a 12-Year-Old?

The best exercise for a 12-year-old is a combination of aerobic activities and strength training. Aerobic exercises are important because they help improve cardiovascular health and endurance. Running, swimming, and dancing are all great examples of aerobic activities that engage large muscle groups and can be done for an extended period of time.

In addition to aerobic exercises, it is also beneficial for 12-year-olds to engage in strength training exercises. Strength training helps build muscle strength, bone density, and improves overall physical fitness. Some examples of strength training exercises for kids include push-ups, sit-ups, squats, and lunges.

It is important for 12-year-olds to have a variety of physical activities throughout the day. They should engage in brief bouts of moderate to strong physical activity, alternating with lighter activities or rest periods. This helps to keep them active and prevents them from getting too tired or burnt out.

What Are Some Fun Workouts for Kids?

Here are 12 fun exercises for kids that will keep them active and entertained:

1. Jumping Jacks: Have your child do 10 jumping jacks or as many as they can do.

2. Scissor Jumps: Instruct your child to position one leg in front of the other and jump, alternating the legs.

3. Touch Your Toes: Encourage your child to bend down and touch their toes, stretching their hamstrings and lower back.

4. Ball It and Bounce: Give your child a small ball and tell them to bounce it as high as they can while keeping their feet planted.

5. Ball Rolls: Have your child lie down on their back and roll a ball from their hands to their feet, using their core muscles to control the movement.

6. Rocket Jumps: This exercise involves jumping up as high as possible, reaching for the sky like a rocket.

7. Cherry Pickers Exercise: Instruct your child to stand with their feet shoulder-width apart and then bend down to touch their toes, keeping their back straight.

8. Mountain Climbers: Have your child get into a push-up position and then alternate bringing their knees up towards their chest, as if climbing a mountain.

9. Hopscotch: Draw a hopscotch pattern on the ground or use chalk indoors. Have your child hop from square to square, balancing and working on their coordination.

10. Animal Walks: Encourage your child to imitate different animals’ movements, such as bear crawls, frog jumps, or crab walks. This activity adds a fun element to their workout.

11. Hula Hooping: Provide your child with a hula hoop and challenge them to keep it spinning around their waist for as long as possible.

12. Dance Party: Turn on some music and let your child dance their heart out. Dancing is a great way to get their heart rate up and improve their coordination.

Remember, it is important to ensure that these exercises are age-appropriate and suitable for your child’s physical abilities. Always prioritize safety and make sure your child stays hydrated during their workout.

Conclusion

Indoor exercise can be a fun and effective way for kids to stay active and healthy. By creating designated areas in the house and labeling them with different exercises, kids can engage in a variety of movements and activities. Whether it’s jumping jacks, hops, planking, or push-ups, these exercises can help improve cardiovascular health, build strength, and enhance overall physical fitness.

Additionally, incorporating games like indoor hopscotch or home bowling can add an element of excitement and keep kids engaged in their workout routine. These activities not only provide a chance for physical exercise but also promote coordination, balance, and motor skills.

It’s important to ensure that the indoor exercise routine includes a mix of aerobic, muscle-strengthening, and bone-strengthening activities. Aerobic activities like dancing, running in place, or jump rope can get the heart rate up and improve endurance. Muscle-strengthening exercises like push-ups, squats, or resistance band workouts can help build strong muscles. Bone-strengthening activities such as running and swimming can promote healthy bone development.

By incorporating these various types of exercises and activities, kids can reap the benefits of a well-rounded indoor exercise routine. Not only does it contribute to their physical well-being, but it also helps develop important skills like discipline, focus, and perseverance.

Indoor exercise for kids is a fantastic way to promote a healthy lifestyle and instill the importance of physical fitness from a young age. So get creative, set up those exercise areas, and have fun while staying active indoors!

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Nancy Sherman

Nancy Sherman has more than a decade of experience in education and is passionate about helping schools, teachers, and students succeed. She began her career as a Teaching Fellow in NY where she worked with educators to develop their instructional practice. Since then she held diverse roles in the field including Educational Researcher, Academic Director for a non-profit foundation, Curriculum Expert and Coach, while also serving on boards of directors for multiple organizations. She is trained in Project-Based Learning, Capstone Design (PBL), Competency-Based Evaluation (CBE) and Social Emotional Learning Development (SELD).