How to exercise with a toddler at home

Inside: Tips for busy moms to find time to exercise with kids at home. Read on for tips on how to workout when you have toddlers running all around you.

Parents are busy. Between taking care of your children, personal obligations, social life, or work, it can be hard to fit in a workout. But given the many physical and mental benefits of exercising, working out can help parents reduce stress and stay healthy throughout the chaos of parenthood.

And you don’t have to skip a workout just because your kids are at home. In fact, kids can join in on the fun! That way, they can learn early on how to live a healthy lifestyle while you get to reap the benefits of exercise.

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Exercises Busy Parents Can Do With Their Toddlers

So next time you’re on baby duty and in need of some exercise, lace up your sneakers, strap on your kid’s workout shoes, and get out there — together. We’ve put together some exercise ideas that parents and kids can do together.

Running

Parents of kids know that kids love to run around. So why not make it a workout? You might not be running a 5K with your toddler, but you can find creative ways that the both of you can run together. This could be intervals of running and walking through the neighborhood, a game of tag, or something like red light, green light.

Crunches

Toddlers may not be able to complete this exercise on their own, but they can still enjoy you being down on their level working out. While you’re doing sit-ups, have your toddler sit on your stomach! When you sit up, you can play a game of peek-a-boo or tickle them to keep them laughing. They can get so engrossed in the game that they won’t even realize you’re exercising.

Skipping

Many athletes do some form of skipping in their own training — skipping on a jumping rope or around a track can be a great workout. You can get your kids involved by making it into a game. Jump ropes are a fun kid’s toy (as well as a great way for adults to workout), or a game like hopscotch can incorporate this exercise into your routine while still being fun.

Yoga

There are many benefits to doing yoga — it can improve balance, strength, and focus, among having mental benefits as well. And one of the best parts: your toddler can do beginner poses right along with you! While you do a short yoga routine, have your kids do poses like the tree pose, child’s pose, or cobra.

At the end of the day, exercise should be empowering and completed on your own terms. Go easy on yourself if your workout falls to the back burner for a few days, especially since time with your kids is precious.