Keeping kids and teens active is sometimes a challenge, especially with the technology filled world we live in. But what if exercise could be just as fun as games? In this post, we’ve put together 10 creative workout games that will not only get your little ones moving, but also help make memories that will last a lifetime. Whether you’re a busy parent looking for quick ideas or just want to find a way to workout with your kids, these easy-to-implement games are perfect for burning energy, building strength, and promoting a healthy lifestyle—all while having fun!
1. Card Game Workout
I learned this one from my awesome crossfit gym back home! Shoutout Crossfit Nevo!
From the list of exercises provided above, assign each suite to be an exercise.
Example:
Hearts= Burpees
Diamonds= Squats
Clubs= Lunges
Clovers= Sit ups
(ALSO can be done with dumbbells or weights to make it harder if an adult wanted to join)
Shuffle the deck and turn it face down. Take turns drawing the top card and do the suite exercise for however many the number on the card is!
A= 1
Jacks= 10
Queens= 11
Kings= 12
Jokers= 20! OR can be a “run 100m and back”
See if you can finish the whole deck and do it again the next week to try to beat your time!
2. Dice Game Workout
One dice is for the number and the other is for the exercise.
Non- Race Version
Have everyone get in a circle. Take turns rolling the dice, and do the number of the correlating exercises according to the worksheet.
Ex: I have a blue and a white dice. My white dice is for my exercises and my blue dice is for the number of that exercise.
I roll a blue 6 and a white 1. Everyone does 6 pushups.
Continue taking turns rolling both until everyone does all of the exercises at least 3 times.
Race Version
Everyone has their own two dice. Each person races to see who can roll each exercise 3 times and complete the workout first.
3. UNO WORKOUT
UNO (Uno deck)
Play Uno like normal, however, each color is an exercise of your choice. Whatever number you play down is how many of the exercise that person does.
Reverse cards= run somewhere and back
+2 or +4= 10
Wild= 15
Swap Decks= Both people have to do a partner stretch for 30 seconds UNO (Uno deck)
Play Uno like normal, however, each color is an exercise of your choice. Whatever number you play down is how many of the exercise that person does.
Reverse cards= run somewhere and back
+2 or +4= 10
Wild= 15
Swap Decks= Both people have to do a partner stretch for 30 seconds
4. MISSIONARY TAG
Gather your players and form a circle, interlocking elbows with partners.
Designate one person as “it” and another as the “runner.” These two do not have interlocking elbows.
The “it” player chases the “runner,” trying to tag them.
The “runner” player can lock elbows with any player in the circle to become safe.
The player on the opposite side of the “runner” must now run to avoid becoming “it.”
This game is good for larger groups. Need at least 6 people.
5. Red Light, Green Light
Start with everyone along the starting line.
When you say ‘Green Light’ everyone will run towards the finish line.
When you say ‘Yellow Light’ everyone must walk.
When you say ‘Red Light’ everyone must immediately stop.
- If players are still moving when you call ‘Red Light’, they must go back to the starting line.
- Start a new round when everyone gets across the finish line or when most players make it across the finish line.
- Can make it more interesting by having different exercises for the different lights such as lunges, frog hops, bear crawls, etc.
6. Mother May I
Can incorporate exercises of choice into the commands!!
Play this game with at least three players and choose a leader to be the ‘mother’.
Line players up facing the ‘mother’ at least 10 feet away—further works well and makes the game last longer.
Give commands to the players one at a time. Say, for example, “Anna, you may take one step forward.”
Wait for the player to respond. If she says, “Mother, may I?” answer either, “Yes, you may” or “No, you may not.”
Make sure the player asks the question and follows instructions. A player who fails to respond to the mother is out of the game.
Continue giving commands to the players in any order that you choose. Make them more fun by including crab walks, twirls, doing a dance, etc.
Play until only Mother and one player are left. The last player left in the game is the winner.
Trip up players by calling out commands quickly and with authority. Mix them up with questions that aren’t commands to get them out…for example, they have to respond to requests such as “Jump up and down,” “Sit down” and “Tell me your name” are commands. Things like “How old are you?” and “Why are you looking at me?” are not commands.