When they were very tiny, the most common cause of a kerfuffle was of course over toy sharing.

Luckily, with siblings and friends that are close in age, fighting over toys is avoidable as there are some toys that kids naturally want to share and enjoy together.

These types of toys have other benefits as well. If you have more than one young child, gifting them sharable gifts like pretend play props (more about them below) can also be a way to cut down on the toy mess and save some money on gifts.

What To Look For

The best toys for sibling always have a few of the same components:

• They invite teamwork – the play gets better if they work together.
• They have many parts – each sibling can have a role or a job.
• They’re open-ended – these toys don’t tell the siblings how to play, they just invite them into play.

When searching for good sharable toys, keep in mind that it’s important to find toys that are easy for kids of different ages and abilities, as well.

5 Types of Sharable Toys

Below are five categories of sharable toys on the market that will help keep your home peaceful. Under each, we’ve included links to our top choices, which have all been tested by our team of moms in group-play situations and have been a hit.

1. Pretend Play Props

The best games are cooperative ones, and nothing is more cooperative than pretend play.

Pretend play props like kitchens, supermarkets, doctor’s offices, castles, and forts, etc., encourage sharing because it’s not as much fun playing house by yourself as it is with a friend.

Best Pretend Play Prop Toys

Little Tikes Home-Grown Kitchen

The Little Tikes Home-Grown Kitchen is a realistic toy kitchen full of accessories for imaginative and creative play!

It’s compact but has a layout that allows for more than one child to interact with it at the same time without constantly getting in each other’s way.

Kids can pretend to cook following the included recipe cards, they can dust and wipe off the countertops, they can clean dishes in the sink with water sounds, play with the many accessories that are included, and more. There’s plenty to keep everyone busy with this little kitchen.

Little Tikes My First Pet Doctor Checkup

Little Tikes My First Pet Doctor Checkup is the perfect place for toddlers to explore and learn about caring for pets together. The unique working checkup station includes a folding checkup counter, x-ray station with 3 translucent “x-rays,” an overhead exam light and more!

Over 15 accessories are included with the set, including a puppy dog, kitty cat, turtle, bandage, booster shot syringe and more. Plenty to do for everyone.

Kids will love learning how to care for their pet while having fun at the same time. And of course kids will repurpose this one and play doctor with each other, using all those medical accessories.

Crazy Forts

You litterally can not go wrong with this toy.

Crazy Forts are a unique building and creative toy. Create a cave one day, an igloo the next, a pirate ship on Tuesday, or castle tomorrow.

All you have to do is put the pieces together in different configurations and cover it with bedsheets to make a fort.

Your little one’s imagination will do the rest as they create new worlds to play together in.

2. Board games

Another activity that’s not easy to do alone is playing a board game. Board games not only encourage kids to play together instead of fighting over who gets the item, but they also allow for some more quiet play.

Even better, board games can help children learn how to take turns as well as develop social skills such as empathy by understanding what it feels likes when someone else takes your piece on boardgame you’re playing (gross).

Some games that even toddlers can play together (with some adult help) include Monkey Around, Candyland, and Animal Bingo.

Some of our absolute favorite games for preschoolers include: Guess Who?, Mouse Trap, and Monopoly Junior Edition.

3. Walkie Talkies

Walkie Talkies are a great toy for siblings and friends to share and also leave the game open-ended for many different games and pretend play.

I recommending getting a good set with at least three handsets. This will prevent fighting if there’s another friend over, or if there’s just two littles playing, you can jump in to the chat to announce snack time or bedtime!

4. Building Toys

It’s no wonder why construction toys like legos or wooden blocks can be found in every daycare and kindergarten class, they the perfect toy for sharing!

Building toys are a great choice for kids of all ages, even younger toddlers, and they encourage creativity, imagination while also building motor skills.

5. Sports Equipment

Going outside and playing sports is also a great way for siblings and friends to interact.

If you have a backyard, it’s worth investing in some sports equipment like soccer balls or basketballs so that the kids can play together outside (and get plenty of fresh air).

In Conclusion

The best sharable toy is one that can be enjoyed by a variety of kids in the family or group without any arguments over who gets it next!

By sticking to these categories of toys, playtime will be more peaceful and since these toys are classic, open-play toys, they will last longer and bring your little ones fun for several years of happy, group play.

The chaos of gift shopping and hosting family members can make the holiday season stressful, so be sure to take some time to relax and have fun with your little ones.

Have lots of fun with these ideas:

• Go ice skating
• Find some snowy hills to go sledding
• Pack up everyone in the car to go for hot chocolates
• Find the most festive neighborhoods in your city and drive around to see the lights
• Look for a free live nativity by where you live
• Think up a few random acts of kindness to do together
• Watch Christmas movies in your pajamas
• Build a blanket fort and drape Christmas lights over the top
• Find a cookie recipe and bake it with your toddler helping (don’t sweat the mess, it’s about the learning, and cookies)
• Attend a Christmas play at a local school or theater
• Host a game night complete with all of your favorites
• Decorate gingerbread houses together
• Blast holiday music at home and have a dance party

Moms and kids alike can get stir crazy with nothing to do, especially if the entertainment budget is a little thin. But there are inexpensive fun ways to spend time with your little one that don’t require hours of prep and planning.

Listed below are some fun ways to beat the summer heat with your kids:

1. Hit the Mall

This fun outing is sure to make mom and kids happy. 

Many mall locations have a children’s play area, and I’ve also noticed that quite a few have a coffee shop next door to the play area. How convenient is that? Not to mention air conditioning!

2. Find the Cheap Movie Theatre / Movie Times

Check your local theater for $5 or FREE movies during the summer for the kids (parents are free/discounted too!).

If your area does not participate, consider viewing a “child-friendly” matinee, which is usually at a discounted price.

3. Watch a Movie Outdoors

Whether that means simply taking your laptop or tablet outside, or renting a projector to watch a movie on a hanging white sheet or side of the house, this one is a big winner.

You can make it even more special by setting up a tent, if you have one, or making a fort outside with some old sheets.

4. Sprinkler/ Water Play

Head outside with the kids for a water balloon (or sponge) toss, or flip on the sprinkler on for a fun afternoon of water play. If you have one, fill a baby pool and splash around to cool off on a hot afternoon.

Even better, if you’re in an area with a local splash pad, you’re in luck! Have a beach or lake nearby? What a great way to cool off and the kids will spend hours playing in the sand!

5. Check Your Community Pool Schedule

Check local listings for your community pool or YMCA.

Even if you’re not a member, you can usually just pay a small fee to utilize the pool and/or gym for some fun!

6. Find Your Local Play Groups

For more options, go online and find a local moms group and/or playgroup. Local playgroups tend to be even more active during the summer months.

Some groups will take turns hosting play dates at each member’s home, head to the movies together, and visit local museums, pools, libraries, and parks as a group. The options are endless. Also, as a group, many local venues offer a discount because so many people are attending together at once. So, joining a group has multiple benefits – finding new friends, keeping busy, and saving money.

7. Have a Picnic

Sure, fall picnics are fun, too. But take advantage of the warm weather while it lasts and take some food to the park! You have to eat lunch anyway, why not do it on a picnic blanket and make it an activity.

Invite friends and family over to eat yummy summer favorites. A menu with fruit salad, sandwiches and some popsicles is perfect!

8. Make Popsicles

Speaking of popsicles, why not make some of your own and make it an activity!

The internet has a ton of great homemade popsicle recipes that take minutes (perfect for cooking with a toddler), like Kim’s list of 20 homemade popsicles over at https://insanelygoodrecipes.com/.

I love just taking fruit flavored yogurt and putting it into popsicle molds (I have these Zoku ones from Amazon, which are great) to make a quick and easy popsicle treat my girls love.

9. Morning/Evening Walks and Bike Rides

Head on out as the sun is coming up or setting. Avoid the hottest parts of the day, yet still have sunlight for safety.

We take morning walks and evening bike rides as a family during the summer months to burn off some energy.

If you haven’t yet started biking with your little one, here’s our guide for biking with young children to help you get started.

10. Go on a Nature Walk

If you live somewhere with mountains, go on a nature hike searching for waterfalls. Or, simply go for a walk around a lake or through the fields.

Just get outside and get some exercise while soaking up some vitamin D!

In this article, we’ll talk about the different types of punching bags available for kids and ways you can use these toys in a variety of ways with your child!

What Age(s) are Punching Bags Appropriate

It’s obvious that a small baby can’t use a punching bag (though there are suitable wobble style toys like this one I have found on Amazon), but small, toddler-made punching bags are perfect for children over two years old.

It might seem strange to recommend a punching bag for such a little one, but they are unexpectedly great in other ways as well:

• They are great exercise
• They help develop motor skills and hand-eye coordination
• They’re a great tool to redirect frustrations (before they turn into tantrums)
• Most importantly, they’re fun and will hold their attention for more than five minutes!

Best Punching Bags for Kids

I’ve scoured the internet, asked friends, and even tested punching bags out with my own kiddos to put together a list of the best punching bag toys for kids.

Below you’ll find my ultimate list, which I’ve broken up into different categories to help you pick the right one for your family. 

Best Punching Toy for Very Little Kids: Doctor Dolphin Inflatable Punching Bags (Pig, Unicorn, or Puppy)

Doctor Dolphin Inflatable Punching Bags are a great way to relieve stress and improve your child’s self-esteem.

Kids love the cute animal designs, but parents like myself who don’t want to be replacing toys appreciate the durability of these inflatable punching bags. Unlike similar-looking punching bags, this product actually holds up to rough play from kids.

This little bag is just the right size to help little kids learn how to control their strength and develop coordination, flexibility, and balance.

The doctor dolphin punching bag is made from high-quality PVC material which makes it durable and press resistant. It’s easy Inflate and deflate with a standard hand pump and says the base can be inflated with water or sand, but I recommend going with play sand as using water seems to cause problems.

Best of all it comes in a pig, unicorn, or puppy shape.

Most Durable Punching Bag for Younger and Older Kids: Atlasonix Monster Boxing Toy / Air Bop Bag

Playing with an air bop toy is super fun and you don’t even have to worry about anyone getting hurt. But if you want a sturdier, leak-proof option that will really last for a long while, the Atlasonix Boxing Toy is your better choice.

This product can, again, be filled up with water or sand and air but because leaking is not as big of a problem, water is actually the better choice here as it takes less than five minutes. All filled, it stands at about 4 ft tall, so it will last your kiddos a long while and is sturdy enough to take a beating from older kids.

Overall, if you’re looking for an air-bop style bag, this one is the most durable I’ve found.

Best for Imaginative Play: Imagenius Toys Inflatable Punching Bag & Foam Sword Set

The Imagenius Toys Punching Bag and foam sword set is all kinds of fun for both younger kids and older kids too.

Kids can use this one as a punching bag to practice their kicks and punches, or as a sword-wielding fighter who has to slay the dragon or defeat the knight.

Like many of the other punching bags on this list, it’s easy to set up, with an inflatable bottom chamber that holds water or sand for stability (again, I recommend sand) and air in the top chamber.

My girls love this one and have rescued our dog from the clutches of the acid-breathing dragon more than once, ha ha.

Best Toddler Punching Bag with Gloves Set: QPAU Upgraded Punching Bag for Kids

The QPAU Upgraded Punching Bag is perfect for all tiny champions in training!

It’s made of nice PU leather and can be adjusted to three different heights to match your little toddler or preschooler’s height. It includes one pair of gloves and one ball as well as a pump for easy inflation.

It also has a unconditioned 2-year refund policy and a two year warranty on everything, which is not common among these types of toys, and it speaks to the quality of the set.

Best Budget Punching Bag Set

If you’re looking for a little boxing bag and glove set that won’t break the bank, the OnBash Punching Bag Set is perfect, though not as sturdy as the QPAU.

This punching bag set is easy to assemble and can be filled with either water or sand. Putting sand in the base makes the stand much stronger than filling it with water.

The height of the base adjusts easily, so your little one won’t outgrow it for years!

In Conclusion

If you have a child or multiple children that like to hit or play fight, I recommend that you get them a punching bag. It’s much safer than letting them hit each other with their little fists!

If you have a toddler or preschooler, then these products can also help them develop coordination and learn to control their strength.

I hope this article has helped!

And it’s not just quality time, there are many reasons why biking makes for a great family activity. It’s inexpensive (once you own bikes), it’s great for learning, and it’s a fantastic form of exercise.

Even if you live in an area where there is traffic or hills, biking with a baby or toddler can still be done safely!

Here are my seven tips for making that family bike ride a fun and safe part of your family lifestyle even with younger kids:

Tip One: Start Young

If you get your child on a bike at a young age, If you get your child on a bike at a young age, they’ll grow up with cycling as part of their life and won’t challenge the idea later on. With time, they’ll also be more active participants in bike riding and really enjoy it!

What Age Can You Take a Baby on a Bike?

Although there are child bike seats are designed for infants as young as nine months old out there, most pediatric experts say that you shouldn’t start this young.

According to Safe Kids Worldwide, “Babies around 9 months old are just becoming strong enough to hold up their necks, so it is not recommended that infants younger than 12 months ride in a bicycle seat, trailer, sidecar, or any other carrier. “

Once baby is a year old the International Bicycle Fund (IBF) recommends checking with a pediatrician to see if they have the neck development to safely go for a bike ride (Source).

What’s Safest: Seats or Trailers?

Once you’re given the green light for taking baby with you on your bike ride, you may be wondering which carrier is safest. While it’s pretty clear across the board that putting baby in a carrier is the least safe option, the choice between a seat or a trailer is a bit more of a gray area, and really depends on your level of skill on your bike.

The IBF has some rough risk analysis of seats and trailers as an option. Though they seem to say that trailers are slightly safer in terms of fall, the IBF doesn’t come down clearly in favor of one option or another as they seem to say that a proficient biker with a small child may be safer with a seat, because of the increased agility.

“We haven’t heard of enough accidents involving either to say that any higher risk is statistically significant.” The IBF states on their website. “Some road and traffic conditions favor trailers and other conditions favor child seats. Road and traffic considerations may be a more significant factor than stability issues so it can’t be said that one method is better than another in a given situation.”

Helmets On from Day One

Because of the fontanel, the soft spot in an infant’s skull, infants are susceptible to more head injuries than adults and so a helmet is a necessary part of any safe bike ride right from day one, especially in a child seat.

Though there is some debate around the need in a trailer with a good cage and five-point harness, the IBF does cite some reasons why it’s still a good idea.

Personally, I also like to start the rule about wearing helmets on the bike early so it’s in their DNA almost and there’s never a meltdown because suddenly at age 3 or 4 you’re demanding it.

When selecting a helmet, it’s imperative the helmet meets a recognized standard, like the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), and fits properly. For helmets worn in a trailer and child seats, the helmet should be rounded in the back instead of flared, according to the IBF.

For more information on helmets go to www.ibike.org/education/helmet.htm.

Tip Two: Tailor the Vehicle to the Developmental Level of your Child.

Babies will of course need to be in a trailer, but once the child hits the toddler stage there are plenty of other options. Pay attention to each child and figure out what will work for them.

Options include trailers, trail-a-bike, tandem, a coupler to attach a child’s bike to an adult bike, or having the child ride his/her own bike.

Starting with Their Own Bike

Starting them riding independently early, with an age-appropriate bike is going to take your bike rides to the next level faster.

So just what type of bike? having trained my two daughters to ride differently, I definitely have some advice here!

Are Balance Bikes Better than Training Wheels (Stabilizers)?

Yes! Experts agree that balance bikes help children gain coordination and balance skills faster than a pedal bike, which builds their confidence and skills so they can move over pretty smoothly to a “big kid” bike (Source).

That has certainly been my experience with kids bikes. My oldest daughter, who was always ahead of the curve when it came to gross motor skills, learned to pedal a bike with training wheels first. My youngest daughter, who took much longer on average to reach milestones, learned to use a balance bike first.

The difference was shocking! The internal balance my youngest learned while playing with her balance bike had her riding a regular bike well before my oldest.

When to Start Balance Bike

Introducing a balance bike to a child around 18 months to 2 years of age with success is possible if they are already walking.

At 18 months, you can even let them toddle around with it indoors in a safe area to get them comfortable before taking them outdoors to safe biking trails, your front driveway, etc.

At what Age Should a Child be Able to Ride a Bike?

Kids usually learn to ride a bike with pedals (and no stabilizers/training wheels) between the ages of 3 and 8, with the average age being just over 5-years-old. For your child, it’s best to consider not just age, but other factors that determine if they are ready, such as skills and balance.

If you have doubts that your child is ready for this rite-of-passage milestone, then consult with your pediatrician or other medical professionals before proceeding any further.

Tip Three: Sandwich your Child (if Possible)

Once your little one is up and riding on their own, you’re going to have to have your eagle-eyes on them for a while.

Until your child develops the skills to ride safely in traffic on his/her own, create a sandwich with adults in front and behind if you can. The one in front sets the example for the child to follow, but the rear adult is there to keep an eye on her.

If you’re a lone parent and can’t call on a friend to join you, make sure you can watch your kiddo at all times until well after you feel comfortable with their skills, because accidents can happen with young riders unexpectedly.

Tip Four: Plan Your Route

A little planning ahead for your bike ride may save you from a headache.

Do your research and find the safest routes that are interesting to both you and your kiddo, so if you need to take a break it’s easy and enjoyable.

Preparing is extra important when biking on footpaths/sidewalks. Preparing ahead can help avoid something going wrong while riding alongside pedestrians who may not look out for bikers (or vice versa).

Tip Five: Keep Mileage Low and Take Plenty of Breaks

Just because you are itching to go for a century ride, your child most likely isn’t. Even if they love the idea of a long ride with you, they may not have the endurance to actually complete it.

Enjoy a slow, leisurely ride with your family and do your training ride another day. Monitor their energy levels and your own. If any of you are getting tired, take a break and try again another time.

Tip Six: Take Snacks

Every parent knows it’s important to pack snacks with a small child, but they are especially important on a bike ride where your ability to get home relies on their ability to keep going.

A hungry child is a cranky child and a cranky child on a bike is not going to be fun. Bring lots of snacks to keep their mood and energy levels up.

Tip Seven: Trust your Child

Kids are capable of way more than most parents give them credit for. When they are able to balance, steer, and pedal on their own, let them fly.

Give your child some freedom to explore their independence on the bike. Let them make mistakes while you’re there with a helping hand if needed and watch them learn from those errors without making it seem like an ordeal.  

With good safety equipment – helmet and safety pads)- you can relax and know that every small spill now is teaching them the muscle skills to avoid larger spill years down the road when they are going faster and are on a bigger (or maybe even motorized) bike.

Trust In The Value

With just a little encouragement, planning, and experience, your family can enjoy many moments together in the great outdoors on your bikes.

Even better, as you spend a few hours of dedicated time together without all the distractions of modern society, you’ll be forming a bond with your child that will last for years to come.

Biking is great for the entire family and will provide memories for years to come.

But what sport is best for preschoolers and toddlers? The best sport is one that lets them have a great time and builds up their physical and mental skills. In this blog post, we will discuss the top five sports that are perfect for your little ones!

Start Early

Children can learn to appreciate the benefits of staying active at an early age when it’s most likely to become habitual.

Plus, it’s never too early to start learning how great teamwork feels!

What are Good Sports for Preschoolers and Toddlers?

Here’s a list of the top five sports for preschoolers:

1. Soccer

One commonly recommended sport for young children is soccer. Although they may not be able to understand all the rules, soccer is a simple enough game that you can coach your toddler about the basic rules and movements.

The general objective is to get the ball on the opposite side into your opponent’s goal. Toddlers will love the idea of getting the ball into the goal. Later on, preschoolers can be easily taught how to do drills with soccer balls in a reasonably low-impact environment.

When played with other children, soccer is also a great sport for teaching teamwork and building friendships with other kids.

2. Swimming

Swimming is a highly recommended sport for small children. Because of the water’s resistance, swimming is an extremely low-impact sport that has little risk of injury. Swimming is also relatively straightforward and can be taught to small children, and some swim schools even offer classes for infants.

Infants younger than one year are developmentally unable to learn the complex movements, such as breathing, necessary to swim, however, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). (Source).

“They may manifest reflexive swimming movement under the water but cannot effectively raise their heads to breathe. There is no evidence to suggest that infant swimming programs for those younger than 1 year are beneficial.”

That same 2019 AAP study recommended swimming lessons for children older than one year old.

“Evidence reveals that many children older than 1 year will benefit from swim lessons, ” the study stated. “A parent or caregiver’s decision about when to initiate swim lessons must be individualized on the basis of a variety of factors, including comfort with being in water, health status, emotional maturity, and physical and cognitive limitations.”

Though swim lessons don’t “drown proof” a child and parents must always closely supervise children when in and around water, the added safety element to swimming lessons makes it a great choice. Since swimming is also a ton of fun, it could be the perfect sport for your child.

3. Dance

For toddlers and preschoolers, highly complex and competitive sports may be a bit of a challenge. It’s best in the beginning to choose sports that allow them some room for free play. It’s also important that the activity is fun so as to encourage the child to continue staying active.

Dancing is always fun and there are plenty of chances to dance around and let loose. Boys and girls alike will benefit from the movement, memorization and rhythm practiced in ballet, jazz, tap, and other genres of dance.

4. Gymnastics

Toddlers love to climb, jump, and crawl, which makes gymnastics perfect for them. Their bodies are still limber and flexible and can easily perform gymnastic exercises.

Gymnastics also involve more personalized instruction, which is helpful for a young child still learning how to understand and remember rules and regulations.

Toddlers and Preschoolers beginning gymnastics lessons will learn balance, coordination, and control. The movements learned in gymnastics can also help a child develop the core strength necessary for other sports as well.

Gymnasts who start young have been found more likely than later starters, both male and female alike, to achieve higher levels of success in the sport.

In addition, gymnastics is one of few sports that offer different levels for participants at any age and can be offered as a competitive or recreational activity depending on the skill level.

With many types available, from tumbling classes through trampoline-based lessons, interested children will find plenty they like!

5. T-ball

There is nothing cuter than watching your little tyke try to hit the ball, then run the bases – the wrong way! At least it’s one of my favorite memories with my oldest.

Preschoolers are still developing their hand and eye coordination skills, making some sports more challenging than others to play.

T-ball is a great choice for toddlers since the ball is propped on a stand as opposed to being thrown by a pitcher. This makes it easier for the child to aim, but it also significantly reduces the risk of injury. The rules in T-ball are simple enough for your child to follow along and can be played with the whole family as well.

Organized sports can be a great way to get you and your toddler more involved in the community. It’s also an excellent way to teach your child about the virtues of physical fitness and teamwork.

Other sports for Toddlers (Kids 2-4 Years Old)

Other sports that didn’t make our top five list but are great activities for toddlers 2 years old and up include biking, scootering, hula-hooping, and of course just running around like the balls of energy they are.

Other Sports for Preschoolers (Kids 5-7 Years Old)

While all of the sports listed above are fantastic for preschoolers, kids between 5 and 7 years of age have some more maturity, motor skills, and mental focus that they can use to participate in some more complex sports.

Sports like basketball, tennis, martial arts or boxing, golf, and horseback riding for example are great choices for this age group. Just make sure that when taking on an advanced activity like this it’s one your little one is eager to learn without a ton of effort to convince them (otherwise they might get overwhelmed quickly) and that the initial lessons are light and things your little one is capable of doing.

In Conclusion

In conclusion, it’s important the sports your little one chooses (or you choose for them) are age-appropriate and easy to play.

Age-appropriate sports give little ones a healthy balance of physical activity, teamwork skills development (such as being on time), social interaction with others their own size, and confidence-building (by providing chances at success).

Once you find that perfect sport for your toddler or preschooler, it can also lead to a life-long love of activity.

That’s a lot of benefits over and above tiring them out!

It took me a long time to figure it all out when they were little, but what I did eventually learn is that if you have kids under five-years-old, the only way to get a workout done at home is to include them in your workout.

Including your kids in your workout has the double benefit of creating some valuable play time between you and your child; play that you actually enjoy because you’re checking off one of your to-do’s at the same time! Win-win!

Here are my five tips to involve your kids in your workout:

5. Make a Plan

If you know what kind of exercise you want to do before you get started, you’re more likely to successfully complete your workout. Prepare your workout YouTube videos and any supplies you’ll need ahead of time.

Tell your kids what you’re planning to do as well so that they can get excited and are waiting for this fun new thing to start (it will keep you accountable as well).

Keep on task by encouraging everyone to participate by keeping them informed and ready to go.

4. Get the Workout Clothes Out

Though we’re all in our yoga pants a little bit too much these days, putting on your serious workout clothes for your workout helps you feel prepared for your routine.

Getting your kids into their “workout clothes” will also help them to feel included in the activity and ready to participate.

Comfortable, workout-friendly clothes that are easily accessible and ready to wear set the tone for exercise.

3. Adapt Your Routine

When planning your child-friendly workout, consider the length and type of exercises you’ll complete.

Shorter routines will keep your little ones’ attention longer, and partner exercises or games will make your kids more willing to participate.

Partner pushups, situps, and races encourage healthy competition and get everyone involved. Dancing to a Zumba routine, YouTube Video, or even the radio seem more like fun than a workout and make an excellent cardio routine.

I love this minions dance routine (we love minions in my home), and there are hundreds more just like it on YouTube to fit your family’s likes and tastes.

2. Go Outside

If the weather is good, take your workout outside.

Pushing a stroller while you walk or run adds resistance, and running after kids on bikes and scooters does double duty as a workout for you and playtime for your kids.

Outdoor running races are another great way to keep yourself fit while including the kids.

Best of all, you’ll all be getting a healthy dose of vitamin D.

1. Be realistic

My best advice for you when planning a workout with your children is to stay realistic.

Keep your routines short, simple, and truly child friendly, and you and your kids will all get the exercise you need.

If one day just isn’t unfolding the way you planned, then don’t feel discouraged.

Children are unpredictable, and their (and your) happiness should always come first. Try again another day, and if you’re really feeling the need for a workout, burn the midnight fitness oil for a day or two to keep yourself active.

You got this!