How to Keep Kids Active This New Year
The confetti has settled and the resolutions are set. While you might be eyeing that new gym membership, don’t forget about the little ones! The start of a new year is the perfect time to build healthy fitness habits together. So, grab your sneakers and make this your family’s most active year yet.
The Importance of Physical Activity for Kids
Movement is magic for growing bodies. Regular exercise helps build strong bones, promotes cardiovascular health, and enhances coordination. Beyond the physical perks, active children often sleep better (a win for everyone!) and have improved focus. In short, fitness supports a foundation for lifelong wellness. Plus, it’s fun!
Fun Outdoor Activities to Keep Kids Moving
Getting the gang moving doesn’t require elaborate planning. In fact, the best exercise feels like play. Gather family and friends and try these easy, energy-burning backyard activities.
H3: Backyard Exercise Ideas
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Obstacle courses: Use cones, jump ropes, or garden hoses to create a playful challenge that builds balance, agility, and problem-solving skills.
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Scavenger hunts: Hide items around the yard and have kids race to find them. It's great for endurance, focus, and teamwork.
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Animal walks: Hop like frogs, bear crawl, or crab walk across the grass to strengthen arms, legs, and core muscles.
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Swinging, climbing, and jumping: Develop coordination, grip strength, and confidence as kids pump their legs on the swing, climb the playset, and practice safe landings.
Classic Outdoor Games That Never Get Old:
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Red light, green light: Great for developing focus and bursts of speed.
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Keep it up: Use a balloon and see how long everyone can stop it from touching the ground.
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Relay challenges: Set up short races or timed activities where kids take turns running, skipping, or balancing objects from one point to another.
How to Keep Kids Active in Winter
Don’t let the dropping mercury freeze your fun. Cold weather offers unique opportunities for family connection. Bundle up and head outside for a few brisk adventures:
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Play freeze tag: The name finally fits. See who can stay “frozen” the longest.
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Build snow forts: Work together to roll snowballs, stack walls, and design a family fort.
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Go sledding: Find a safe hill, race to the bottom, and climb back up for another round of laughter and exercise.
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Take a winter nature walk: Look for animal tracks, collect pinecones, and enjoy the quiet beauty of the season.
Outdoor Play Ideas Featuring Gorilla Playsets
Of course, if you have a Gorilla playset, you already have the ultimate fitness center in disguise. With swing sets, monkey bars, and multi-platformed play decks, exercise happens naturally.
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Swinging: Builds core strength and improves coordination while offering that thrilling “flying” feeling.
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Climbing: Monkey bars help develop upper body strength and grip endurance—a challenge that grows with kids as they improve their skills.
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Imaginative play: Swing sets with play decks transform into pirate ships, castles, or secret headquarters, encouraging kids to climb, slide, and create stories through movement.
Make Staying Active a Family Tradition This Year
Kick off the new year with active family fun. Instead of watching from the sidelines, join in and have a little friendly competition. Who went down the slide the fastest, swung the highest, or conquered the monkey bars first? Explore Gorilla Playsets’ swing sets and accessories to find the perfect outdoor setup that keeps kids moving. Here’s to a happy, healthy, and play-filled year ahead.
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