Fitness; It’s such an essential part of growth, and yet sometimes so neglected. Sometimes we figure that through running around at school and sports and life in general, our kids would stay fit. But these recent years with tech at the fingertips and throughout COVID 19, have shown us just how easy a sedentary lifestyle is to take on. These days, less than a quarter of kids are getting the recommended 60 minutes of exercise. In the U.S alone, around 70% of adolescents are inactive.
The fallout of this is clear to see, though more serious as these unhealthy consequences permeate into and become underlying issues in adulthood. Lack of exercise is a significant factor in childhood obesity, as well as many other health-related problems like high blood pressure and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes.
Encouraging your child to become active and fit is one of the greatest gifts you can give them, one that keeps giving long into the future. And while modelling this behavior is the most powerful form of influence on your child’s perspective on fitness – many parents struggle themselves with an un-healthy or inconsistent relationship to fitness and exercise. So without further ado, here are 5 great fitness and exercise apps for kids that can help you, help them to become people who enjoy movement and being healthy.
- Well-Beings – Google Play — Free
Using a base of child psychology and cute art design, Well-Beings is a wonderful app for young kids. It leads them through a buffet of unique and fun activities that will having them running, jumping, playing, and trying new things. Scavenger hunts, exercises, drawing – all these are activities given based on your kids mood. Easy to use and endlessly enjoyable!
- Famli – All platforms — Free
The best app for families looking to get fit! Enjoy tons of exercises, meditations and nutrition suggestions at various levels of difficulty. Create individual profiles with avatars that encourage you along the way, and schedule activities with the built-in calendar.
- Aim2be – All platforms — Free
With an app for both kid and parent, Aim2be looks to connect families with life tips and strategies to become healthier and happier people. The app allows you to set goals and complete tasks that reinforce good habits, be it to spend less time on screens, getting better sleep, and eating together with your family.
- Yoga for Kids and Family fitness – Google Play — Free
A great way to exercise and improve flexibility without the need for equipment. Simple design and easy-to-understand visuals guide you in this kid friendly yoga app. Enjoy tons of dynamic poses and stretches of varying difficulty, helpful health tips, and even create your own workouts. Keep a 30-day streak for an ad free experience.
- 7-Minute Workout – IOS — Free
Another no-frills, easy-to-recommend app, the name really says it all. Follow along with simple bodyweight workouts that strengthen endurance, flexibility, and strength, all in 7-minute chunks. The medium to high intensity workouts over a short time period keeps them manageable while also ensuring your kids burn enough energy and work up a sweat.