How To Motivate Your Child To Exercise Regularly – 5 Ways

By now, we are aware of the positive impact exercise has, not only on our physical health but mood. Science has shown that even 30 minutes of exercise that raises the heart rate can improve concentration levels and speed of learning. But in a technology-centred world, motivating young kids to drag themselves away from the TV or computer screen and run around outside is often easier said than done.

As a parent, understanding the potential benefits of exercise on your child’s learning is important. Although encouraging them to stay physical won’t always be easy, it’ll certainly be worth the effort. Here are a tips on how to motivate your child to exercise:

1. Lead By Example

Telling a child to ‘go for a run’ while you chill on the couch with a cup of coffee isn’t quite going to cut it. Young children watch adults around them and will mimic your habits, both the good and the bad. It is important for kids to see their parents not only being physically active but having fun in the process.

Whether it’s regular strolls in the park, swimming or training for a marathon, seeing their role models being active will encourage kids to see sport in a positive light and increase their desire to get involved.

2. Make Exercise Social

Using sport as a reason to get together with friends or other family members is a really effective way of incorporating exercise into your kid’s routine. Whether it’s just a casual bike ride, a weekly martial arts class or having them join a more competitive football league, doing exercise with others will help create a sense of accountability and keep them engaged. Eventually, it won’t just be about doing a sport they enjoy but about doing it with their mates and having fun.

3. Incorporate An Element of Healthy Competition

Kids love a bit of competition, so make a game of it. Challenge your kid to a race around the block or have them compete to see who can do the most jumping jacks without stopping. Reward them with a prize for their efforts for extra impact. Using online tracking tools or fitness technology like a pedometer also encourages this sense of competition, allows them to monitor their progress and feel a sense of accomplishment.

4. Use Exercise As A Form of Transportation

We’ve all got places to go but rather than driving your child to their nursery in London or taking the bus to a playdate why not incorporate exercise as a form of transportation? Taking a walk each day or riding their bike to the park will not only get them moving, but the slightly longer journey will also give parents a chance to catch up with their children. You’ll probably find that this way they are too busy thinking about their destination that they don’t even notice they are exercising, and it becomes a great bonding experience too.

5. Give gifts that promote exercise

Kids love presents so, rather than buying them the latest computer game or toy for their birthday, give gifts that promote physical activity and perhaps push them towards a new hobby. Think rollerblades, ice skates and footballs. If they have their heart set on modern technology capitalise on games that encourage movement such as the Nintendo Wii.

As cliche as it may sound a healthy body really, does have a healthy mind. When answering the question of how to motivate your child to exercise, you are likely to reap rewards when it comes to their academic performance too.

In a world where convenience is king, everyone is becoming increasingly sedentary which isn’t good for mental or physical health. It’s our duty as parents to play an active role in encouraging children to get moving. But it doesn’t all have to be serious, exercise and sport should be fun so it’s also up to us to foster a love for these activities in our kid’s minds so eventually, they’ll want to stay active of their own accord.

We hope this answered the question of how to motivate your child to exercise. Learn more about our approach to health and nutrition here: