5 Best Fitness Apps for Kids

Experts recommend an average of 60 minutes of physical activity daily for children. However, only a quarter of children in the U.S. have made this a part of their routine. The crux of this problem is obvious: an abundance of technology in kids’ lives today.

Still, remember that the solution is often hidden in the problem. As parents, we can embrace beneficial technology to encourage more fitness exercises with the best fitness apps for kids.

Best Apps for Keeping Kids Active

Fitness activities for kids can seem redundant, tedious, and meaningless to your “sluggish” little tot. These best fitness/workout apps for kids help them boost health and well-being, increase confidence and effectiveness, establish and reach their fitness goals, and grasp the importance of physical health.

MentalUP Pros & Cons
What we like	What we don’t like
No ads	Limited features for the free plan
Detailed progress report
Family plan (Up to 3 members)

Sworkit Kids Pros & Cons
What we like	What we don’t like
Videos demonstrating what to do	The transitions between activities are sometimes a bit fast
Adjustment of workout time to suit your time requirements	You do not reach the minimum amount of physical activity by using this app unless you do multiple hours of intense exercises
Different types of fitness to work on (cardio, yoga, stretching, strength)
You can listen to music while working out

Nike Training Club Pros & Cons
What we like	What we don’t like
On-demand classes	Latest update creates problems
All-in-all app
Variety of programs

Lego City Explorers Pros & Cons
What we like	What we don’t like
Engaging visuals	Explanations are a little speedy, and kids can’t exit videos mid-play
Demonstration videos with animations and cute kids
No-pressure encouragement

Toca Life: Pets Pros & Cons
What we like	What we don’t like
Videos and games are funny enough to get students moving	This burst of exercise requires a steady internet connection

Why Is Being Active Important for Kids?

First things first: if started in childhood, exercising is a habit that continues into adulthood. Being active enables kids to achieve and maintain healthy body weight. Of course, progression is vital.

Every child should regularly engage in physical activity for 60 minutes per day. Regular physical activity helps build and maintain strong, healthy muscles, bones, and joints.

Parents often focus on the physical development or mental agility of their children. However, what needs to be achieved is the synthesis of the two to develop important interpersonal skills.

Is there anyone who does not know the importance of sleep in child development? Being active improves the quantity and quality of sleep.

Research shows that fitness exercises for kids promote improved school attendance and enhance academic performance.

Last but not least, being active prevents or delays the development of many chronic diseases (e.g., heart disease, diabetes, obesity, hypertension) and promotes prolonged health.

The Advantages of Fitness Apps for Kids

• Help your child enjoy better physical fitness and health
• Encourage your young ones to stay active even when they can't leave home to play sports or go to the park
• Allow your kid to find ways to make exercise at home genuinely fun
• Allow you to spend time with your child
• Give you the opportunity to follow their physical development with reports
• Spark their interests to explore an active lifestyle
• Help organize their life

What Do the Experts Say About Family Fitness?

It might be a hard task to find a fitness routine that works for your whole family, but once you do, you’ll take pleasure in the extra quality time and closeness as a family!

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “caregivers play a very important role in determining youth participation in physical activities — how much, how often, and what type of physical activity — and help balance non-active time periods (watching TV, using the computer, or talking on the phone) and physical activity.”

According to experts, the important thing is to be creative: what your child needs is not to do exercises at the level to compete in the next marathon. How about exercising with their favorite song?

Here are some encouraging ideas for family fitness:

• Ask them to teach you,
• Offer affirmative reinforcements,
• Play and ENJOY together, and
• Appreciate the effort, not the results.

By applying these ideas, you can truly encourage your child and strengthen family ties. Some of the health and fitness apps for kids are not designed for just children; the well-thought-out ones aim to establish a family fitness culture also.

Why Is MentalUP the Best Fitness App for the Whole Family?

MentalUP offers a unique family fitness experience with exercises in different categories suitable for all levels. Regardless of age, its fun, easy, and challenging structure makes it perfect for family fitness.

Perhaps most importantly, MentalUP offers a tailored exercise plan: you can make personalized training plans for your whole family in any category you want, with a performance report. It’s like a special fitness trainer for kids and parents!

What Do the Experts Say About Screen Time for Kids?

Kids are averaging an extra 1.5 hours of screen time per day on school days, not counting educational usage.

The British Psychological Society warns that “too much screen time for young children can unintentionally cause permanent damage to their still-developing brains. The ability to focus, to concentrate, to lend attention, to sense other people’s attitudes and communicate with them, to build a large vocabulary - all those abilities are harmed.”

The UK's Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) does not state precise opinions for different ages as there's a lack of evidence. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) advises that screen time should be replaced with more time for fitness, exercise, physical activity, and sleep.

Dr. Larry Rosen suggests a limit of 40 minutes with an hour break for kids under 10. For older pre-teens, that should be a maximum of an hour and then an hour off. For teenagers, it should be a maximum of an hour and a half.

Children 2-5 years old should have no more than an hour a day, and children 5-18 years old should have no more than two hours a day.

Yet do remember that the real danger is non-educational, leisure screen time, so you might wish to discount homework screen time.

To summarize, using technology for fitness games for kids is one of the most beneficial incentives for your child. In this way, you will not only maintain their connection with technology but also acquaint them with physical activities that they can reach anytime, anywhere.

Think of fitness games for kids as a tool that makes it easier for your whole family to spend time together. Lastly, do not only monitor your child's exercise but also do exercises together!