Ways to Help Kids with Physical Fitness When You Can’t Get Outside

If you understand the importance of physical and mental health, then these ways to help kids with physical fitness when you can’t get outside can help.

The importance of physical and mental health if you are stuck indoors for long periods of time is significant. Some people can’t even stand to stay home for over a few days’ time.

For instance, a day relaxing at home one day is one day too much for my husband. He just can’t do it for more than a day without going a little bit “loco” and restless.

On the other hand, I love staying home. However, I also understand that being stagnant and doing nothing but sitting around at home is not healthy at all and has been the downfall for my health the last few years.

When it comes to our children, we have to be that much more intentional. Kids can easily get lazy. They also can easily get frustrated over doing nothing. It depends on the child.

Since we are training our children in the way they should go, its important we are aware and are purposeful in helping our kids stay active, even in times when going outdoors isn’t a possibility.

Physical fitness doesn’t have to be complicated. You can use items you already have at home, and it can be absolutely free. The only thing keeping you from encouraging physical fitness at home is you.

Surely, it can be challenging for some parents to get kids into physical fitness at home. This is especially true when we aren’t into physical fitness ourselves. However, it is worth it nonetheless, and it is exceptionally necessary for our children’s general health.

Physical fitness relieves stress:

We sometimes think that we are managing our stress levels well, and other times we get overwhelmed with stressors that affect us.

Seldom do we remember that our children face stressors as well. They may be different stressors or less impactful – so we may think. However, our children deserve our attention in this area. As a matter of fact, for some kids, it is crucial that we are attentive to their stressors during their childhood and especially their teenage years.

Improve focus with physical fitness:

Physical activity has a positive effect on concentration in your students. Check out this resource below for how I learned to help my high-energy son focus and do well in homeschool.

How to Homeschool High Energy Boys Who Cannot Sit Still

Physical fitness impacts physical development:

Physical fitness and staying active regularly help build strong muscles and bones while helping to maintain a healthy weight.

Creates memories and bonds within the family unit:

It is super easy for everyone to sit around on their mobile devices, basically not taking advantage of family time. I am not saying we shouldn’t let kids on their smart devices or that they are bad.

I am saying that physical fitness as a family while you are home can be a great way to make some fun and amazing memories at home.

Physical fitness impacts cognitive, social, and emotional development:

These aspects of a child’s developmental health (i.e. cognitive, social, and emotional) are just as important as physical health.

Physical fitness helps your kids get better sleep and helps them have a better outlook on life as a whole. It can increase a child’s enthusiasm and optimism and boosts self-esteem, school performance, attention, and behavior. Exercise can also reduce anxiety, tension, and depression.

One thing is for sure. Nothing will come to pass if you don’t take steps for them to happen.

1. Set a goal.
2. Make it a priority.
3. Use the resources below to help you.

Check out these resources for various and fun ways to help kids with physical fitness when you can’t get outside:

Ideas for Getting Kids Active in Your Homeschool

How to Teach PE in Your Homeschool

15 Ways To Keep Kids Active Indoors (Even If You Don’t Have Much Space) | Today’s Parent

Indoor Gross Motor Activities | No Time for Flashcards

Recess Activities for the Indoors | The OT Toolbox

Gross Motor Exercise FREE Worksheets | Chicago OT Therapy

Fun Indoor Family Fitness Activities  | Come Back Momma

Kids Movement Activities Using Tape | The Inspired Treehouse

A To Z Movement Activities for Young Kids | Teacher Angie

Creative Movement in the Classroom | PreK and K Sharing

39 Indoor Physical Activities for Toddlers Who Don’t Sleep Well | Toddler in Action

25 Indoor Gross Motor Energy Busters for Kids | Little Bins Little Hands

5 Indoor Physical Activities for Kids! | True Aim Education

7 Indoor Physical Activities for Rainy Days | Growing Play

50 Physical Activities Your High-Energy Child Can Do Indoors  | Homeschool with Love

Fun Home Workouts for Kids (+ Parents!) | Amanda Seghetti

10 Easy Indoor Gross Motor Activities for Kids | And Next Comes!

Stuck Inside? 14 Indoor Activities for Kids that Burn Energy | Meraki Lane

Indoor Gross Motor Activities for Preschool And Kindergarten | The Measured Mom

5 Different Activities for 6 Lines of Tape | Hands on as We Grow

Indoor Physical Activities for Kids | Worth Writing For

5 Indoor Activities for Kids | Hip Homeschool Moms

Indoor Winter Activity FREE Printable | The Resourceful Mama

Kids Indoor Movement Activities | Growing a Jeweled Rose

Painter’s Tape Activities | Raising Hooks

Get Your Kids Moving Indoors and Enhance Gross Motor Development | Teach Preschool

50 Indoor Activities for Kids to Burn Lots of Energy | Typically Topical

12 Indoor Movement Activities for Active Kids | Confidence Meets Parenting

Fun Indoor Fitness Activities for Kids | Premeditated Leftovers

10 Jumping Activities for Kids | The Realistic Mama

Simple Gross Motor Activity for Practicing Counting | Fun Activities at Home

Downloadable, Fun, and FREE Brain Break Videos! | Little Scholars

Indoor Workout You Can Do With Your Kids | Karen Nicholas Training

The Massive List of Indoor Activities for Homeschooled Kids! Over 100 Ideas! | 123 Homeschool 4 Me

Homeschool PE Ideas for Social Distancing | Vigor It Out

10 Rainy and Snow Day Activities for Indoor Recess | Peaceful Playgrounds

18 Fun Active Indoor Activities for Preschoolers | Journey SAHM

13 Fun & Easy Indoor Movement Activities for Toddlers | The Toddler Playbook

PE Activities for Kids at Home | Hess Academy

15 Simple Exercises For Kids To Do At Home | Mom Junction

Strength Training Workouts for Kids | Braised Fork

5 Fun Exercises For Kids! (Games And Physical Activities) | Snacking in Sneakers

Games can be played at home for physical fitness activity fun:

Indoor Recess Games | Your Teacher’s Aide

5 Fun Indoor Balloon Games | Learn with Play at Home

Six Indoor Active Games for Preschoolers | Frugal Fun 4 Boys

Animal Movement Game (FREE Printable) | Craftulate

Preschool Indoor PE Games | CLASSROOM

25 Exercise Games and Indoor Activities to Get Kids Moving | Mommy Poppins

Best Indoor Games for Kids | BudingStar

20+ Preschool Games and Activities You Can Do on a Budget | We are Teachers

Rainy Day Physical Activities | No Time for Flashcards

30 Fun Indoor Recess Games For Preschoolers | Pre-K Pages

Simon Says Workout for Kids FREE Printable  | 730 Sage Street

15 Kids Fitness Games  | How Does She

Get Moving! Indoor Game for Preschoolers | Beauty Through Imperfection

Indoor Ice Skating – Winter Gross Motor Game | Pink Oatmeal

Socially Distanced Game Ideas for Kids | Big Family Blessings

15 Indoor Recess Games for Big Kids | Chalk and Apples

30 Easy Indoor Fitness Games For Kids | Kid Minds

FREE Printable Roll the Dice Exercise Game for Kids | Hey Let’s Make Stuff

Dance all the way to physical fitness to your homeschool’s goals:

Robot Dance – A Little Gross Motor Fun | Sara J Creations

Dance Workouts for Kids and Kids at Heart | Bits of Positivity

Brain Breaks Music and Movement Songs for Kids | PreKinders

Dance Games – It Is Your Turn to Be in The Spotlight! | My Tuesday Therapy

Apps, sites, YouTube, and more to maintain physical fitness indoors:

10 Indoor Fitness Apps for Kids | Kids n Clicks

FREE PE Website Resources | Laura Chandler’s Teaching Resources

YouTube Channels That Get Kids Moving | Freedom Homeschooling

Our Favorite Online Workouts for Kids | Salt in My Coffee

Give your child plenty of opportunities to try new things and find something they really respond to. Physical fitness does not have to be grueling. It can be totally fun.

No matter what physical fitness level your child is in at the moment, you can try many of these ways to get them up, engaged, and moving.

Our attitude, encouragement, and even participation, can make all the difference. By the way, I am speaking to myself here as well.