How to Entertain Your Toddler: 17 Ways for Mom to Sneak in a Workout
17 Ways to Sneak in a Workout for Mom
Finding time to fit in exercise can be difficult as a mom. If you don’t have time for a full fledged workout, try these toddler friendly activities! Each of these activities can be done safely while including your toddler.
You may be at a busy point in your life where regularly scheduled workouts are not an option. Maybe you just had a baby, or surgery, or moved across the country. The goal here is not to replace the deeply important time to yourself that you get with regular workouts, but to keep you moving until you can get back to that point. Living a healthy lifestyle for your child is one of the most caring, loving things you can do. These are just a small way to sneak in a workout and feel less sedentary.
Hiking
Take the little ones for a walk in your local park. Even better if there are a few hills! You can spend hours exploring or go for half an hour. Just be sure to bring bug spray and sunscreen!
Playing in the Sprinkler
Just be sure you are actively participating, rather than sitting on the sidelines. Running, Jumping, and chasing your toddler are all great ways to move your body AND keep them entertained!
Swimming
While it may not be the most rigorous activity, swimming with your toddler can be exercise! While you are holding your little one, try holding them at arm’s length or tossing them up in the air. You can also check out local swim classes, which usually require the parent to get in the water with the toddler.
Playing Airplane
Lay on your back with your knees in the air and settle your kiddo on your shins. Practice extending your legs while supporting their weight. Doing this even five times can have your muscles shaking! It is a great way to sneak in a workout while your kiddo is none the wiser.
Chase & Tag
Running after your toddler most certainly counts as exercise! Whether you are chasing them around the house or in the backyard, you can definitely get a mini workout in.
Toddler Yoga
my kiddo loves following YouTube videos, and I can usually squeeze in a few minutes of mindful breathing while he does! This is a low-impact way to sneak in a workout.
Slip & Slides & Sprinklers
This is the perfect backyard activity in my opinion! The cost is minimal, and it can provide an entire summer of fun. In fact, check out this summer bucket list for toddlers for more warm weather activities!
Playgrounds
Instead of watching your kiddo climb the slide, go join them! Climb the ladders, swing on the swings, anything but sitting and watching!
Trampoline Parks & Bounce Houses
My niece has a mini trampoline similar to this one, and it allows her to burn energy on rainy days. This is great for the kiddos, but it got me thinking about ways I could move my body with my son. Enter: Bounce houses. Bounce houses are exactly what they sound like. They are toddler-friendly locations that have inflatable playgrounds. There are slides, things to climb, and areas for parents to join in! Trampoline parks are similar, but usually for slightly older children, but that means parents can join in as well.
Backyard Soccer
Get physical with some sporty fun! Don’t worry about your soccer skills, and just have fun! Toddlers are not the most coordinated people, so it may be a simple game of kicking and then chasing down the ball for several minutes. This is a low-impact physical activity that will entertain your toddler and get your body moving.
Tossing Your Kid in the Air
My son loves being thrown up and caught. He also loves swinging and spinning in circles. This very physical form of play is a great way to sneak in a workout. You’ll love this toddler friendly exercise for the giggles alone!
Washing the Dog
Getting our pet clean is a family affair. We chase the dog with the hose, then jump through it, scrub up the dog, throw a toy, and generally get very, very, wet while getting clean! I like to look at chores like these as an opportunity to have some fun, rather than something to get through. This usually makes it much more enjoyable and we both end up moving our bodies quite a bit.
Pretend Play
If your kid is anything like mine, they LOVE when you are acting out a character. Sometimes we stomp and roar like a dinosaur, and other times we have to help Batman defeat the bad guys! In any event, there is a lot of running, jumping, crawling, and generally moving my body around.
Yard Work
Okay, hear me out on this one. You’ve been needing to mulch your front beds but can’t find the time because your kiddo keeps you preoccupied. What if you let the kiddo join in? Hauling a wheelbarrow, moving bags of dirt, even planting flowers can be a physical activity. Toddlers love being involved, and while it might take a little longer, it also means you don’t have to plan a separate activity for your child while trying to get stuff done.
Children’s Museums & Zoos
Children’s museums are interactive, meaning your child can touch, play with, and learn about the world in a hands-on way. Zoos have to be rather large to accommodate the animals. This also means that there will most likely be a lot of walking, crouching, and lifting your child. This is a fun way to stay active while learning!
Children’s Workshops
Places like Lowe’s have weekend workshops where kiddos can build and learn about tools. This is a low-intensity activity that requires adult supervision. You can also get the kits and bring them home to build instead. Our local library has music and movement classes that encourage the parents to join in. Check out resources in your area to find out what kind of physical activities you can do together.
Bike Riding
We have friends that have a bike seat attachment, and their toddler loves to ride along. This is a fantastic way to get a really solid workout that your kiddo can be involved in. If you have multiple children, you can use a bike trailer for kids.
Extra Ways to Sneak in a Workout
- Calf Raises while preparing dinner
- Planks while playing on the floor with your kiddo
- Squats while waiting for your toddler to put on their shoes. This one can be a whole workout, IYKYK!
Remember, the point here is not to replace your regular workouts, but to keep your body moving until you can get back to it. Maintaining an active lifestyle is so important, so by being mindful of how much you move your body each day is critical.
Many of these activities are second nature to me now because I cultivated the habit long ago. If you are looking for more self care ideas, you can check out these posts.
*DISCLAIMER* I am not a medical or athletic professional. Please speak to a qualified person before making changes to your lifestyle.
This is a great list! Especially washing the dog, that is so unique and would be fun for a toddler while also doing a “chore” too! Thanks for sharing.