It can be challenging sometimes to fit in time to exercise when you’re busy chasing a toddler around (although, that counts for exercise, right?). In order to make it easier to fit exercise into your busy schedule, consider bringing your little one along for the ride! It’s not always easy to find ways to exercise with your toddler, but with a little bit of planning and forethought, it is definitely possible. Here are five fun ways to exercise with your toddler.
Go for a hike
Hiking is a wonderful form of exercise that is beneficial on so many levels. It can be challenging, depending on the trails you choose, and it does wonders for our mental health to get out into nature and among the trees. Studies show that just being in the presence of trees and nature can help to lower blood pressure and improve your state of mind. For this form of exercise, you need to make sure you have a proper all terrain stroller, in order to manage all the bumps along the trails.
Have a dance party
This may not seem like a very sophisticated form of exercise, but it certainly gets the blood pumping! Put on your favorite tunes and dance away! Your toddler will love boogying along with you. Dancing is a great form of exercise that is not only fun, but you can target various muscle groups while you’re doing it. Sway your hips, jump around, bend and twist, all while enjoying your favorite songs.
Do some yoga together
Yoga is a wonderful form of exercise that you can do right in the comfort of your own home. Use a yoga video if you’re new to doing it, and just follow along. There are many videos out now that are geared toward getting children involved as well; your toddler would probably love to follow along with you! Yoga also teaches you and your little one how to do mindful breathing and proper stretching techniques, which are both very helpful in maintaining good health and a positive mindset.
Enjoy a bike ride
Most toddlers love the feeling of movement and taking in the sights, so what better way to do that than a bike ride? It is a great form of exercise for you, and likely your toddler will love it too! Depending on what type of bicycle you have, you could explore some local trails or parks with bike paths. There are many different ways that you can bring your toddler along with you, depending on their age. You might want to use a bike seat if your child is still little, or if your toddler is older, perhaps they could come along with you on their own little bike.
Go for a walk
Most parents are already familiar with the benefits of taking their children out for walks regularly. Kids love the fresh air and sunshine just as much as we do, and it is so beneficial for them. Get out for a good walk with your toddler, especially if the weather is nice! If it is warm out, you may want to invest in a stroller fan to keep your little one content during the walk. They will love listening to the sounds of nature and watching all the activity outside as you walk!
Author Bio: Cristin Howard runs Smart Parent Advice, a site that provides parenting advice for moms and dads. Cristin writes about all of the different ups and downs of parenting, provides solutions to common challenges, and reviews products that parents need to purchase for babies and toddlers.