Working out as a parent can be close to impossible.
You’re tired, you’re short on time, and you may not be able to afford a fancy gym membership.
One of the best ways to get your exercise in with kids is to:
- Involve the kids in your workouts
- Make fitness into a game
Enter… fitness board games!
Active family board games make for excellent at-home workouts at best, and at worst they’ll get your body moving. You don’t need a gym membership or drive anywhere. You have everything you need right at home.
Some of the best fitness board games are:
- Flip2BFit
- The Color Dash
- Sturdy Birdy
- Six in a Row
- Twister
Let’s take a gander at what each one offers. With such a great variety, you and your kids will be up and moving in no time!
1. Flip2BFit
It’s suitable for two to four players and for kids who are at least 6 years of age, and with different workouts available, youy and your kids can start benefiting in no time.
How it works
The goal of the game is to work your way around the board, so you can meet the friendly dinosaur, Springer.
On each turn, the player spins a wheel. Depending on where the spinner lands, you draw the card of the corresponding color.
The different colored cards correlate with different exercises. For example, orange is the strength pile. That means you may have to do something like a dolphin plank to show your physical acumen.
Once the player completes the task, they move their piece the corresponding number of spaces on the card.
Every card is a little different. Some only require the active player to perform the task. Others ask for everyone to get up on their feet.
Plus, some cards contain health and wellness trivia, so your kids can learn to eat healthy while working up a sweat.
Why it’s awesome
- Play inside or outside
- A wide range of workouts
- Health trivia
Check out Flip2BFit on Amazon here – while it’s recommended for kids ages 6 to 15, parents can get in on the fun as well!
2. The Color Dash
There are some games out there you barely have to spend any money on to enjoy (outside of a pair of dice).
You simply just have to download the pieces you need online, and you have a fun, simple game kids will love.
How it works
All players place their markers on the START/FINISH square of the game board. One at a time, each player rolls a dice and moves clockwise in the corresponding direction.
Every square has a color, and each color relates to a different exercise.
If you land on a red square, you have to do 10 burpees. Landing on an orange square means you have to do five push-ups and so on. Once you complete the exercise, you earn a set amount of points.
The game ends when all players have returned to the START/FINISH square. The player with the most points wins.
Why it’s awesome
- Practically free
- Easy to play for younger kids
- Alternate versions available
A digital download of The Color Dash is available here. It’s only $2.50 to get the license, and you have a fun game that gets you and your kids off the couch for a while.
3. Sturdy Birdy
Sturdy Birdy isn’t your usual workout game — it’s not about exercise per se, but it will get you moving and give your body a great challenge!
Sturdy Birdy is suitable for kids ages 5 to 50, so you and the kids can all get in on the fun together.
How it works
This game focuses on the misadventures of Reggie the Pigeon, who needs to perfect 12 different poses for his amazing high-wire balancing act.
Of course, that means it’s up to the players to master the 12 poses. However, the game is so much more than just standing around moving your arms.
First, you need to roll the dice to determine where on your body you have to place a seed bag. It also tells you how long you have to hold the pose in that position.
It’s the perfect physical challenge for kids who need to work on core strength, coordination, and balance.
Up to four people can play at a time.
Why it’s awesome
- Easy-to-follow rules
- High-quality materials
- Low impact movement for the whole family
Check out Sturdy Birdy for sale on Amazon.
4. Six in a Row
Six in a Row is another fun game you can by downloading it online for just a few bucks.
Think of it as a more active version of tic-tac-toe — the whole family will love this one and you’ll all get in a surprisingly tough workout throughout!
How it works
When it’s your turn, you roll two dice one-at-a-time.
The first die you roll corresponds to the appropriate column while the second correlates to the row on the game chart. That means if you roll a five and then a three, you would go five down and then three across.
If the space you land on is a color, then you have to perform the assigned exercise. After you complete the challenge, you place a game chip on that square.
However, some squares contain challenge icons. This means you have to directly compete against the other player. The person who wins the challenge ends up winning the square.
In the event you roll a combination that already has a game chip on it, then you roll again.
The first person who can get six squares in a row, whether it’s up-and-down, across, or diagonal, wins the game.
Why it’s awesome
- Minimal game play parts
- Appropriate for all ages
- Affordable
Obtain your digital download of Six in a Row here for only $3.
5. Twister
We all remember Twister as a silly game from our childhoods, but if you haven’t played in a while, you’ve probably forgotten how physically challenging it is!
Sure, playing Twister isn’t the same as taking a yoga class, but you’ll stretch and strain and challenge your muscles all the same.
How it works
You likely know how to play Twister, but in case you need a refresher: you begin by laying the mat on the ground.
Make sure everyone takes off their shoes before playing.
One person uses the spinner to decide where people need to place a given appendage.
You may have to put your right foot on red and then your left hand on green.
Soon, you may find yourself in knots, but that’s all the fun!
It’s… kind of like yoga, right?
Why it’s awesome
- Crazy fun
- Fun indoor activity
- Great party game
Check out Twister for sale on Amazon here.
Wrapping up
Fitness board games are a great way to get the whole family to exercise. Kids and parents can join in on the fun and have a great time while burning some calories.
Fitness board games are a great way to help your kids stay fit, but they’re an interim solution.
If you really want your kids to stay in shape, then you should look into some team sports. Set up a basketball hoop at home or take your kids to the park often and get them to run around.
And for the adults, don’t think the occasional game of Twister will replace regular exercise over the long term!
However, for rainy days, or when everyone’s feeling a bit like a couch potato, a fun family fitness board game is the perfect way to get moving and have some fun in the process.
And if you need even more activities, then check out some more fun fitness card games and fitness dice games that offer more of a workout challenge!
Hope this helps!