Fun Fitness Games Your Family Can Play in Just 30 Minutes

Items you need: 10 soccer balls (or any softer ball) to serve as your cannonballs, two items to mark the front of your “pirate ship” and the back of your “pirate ship.”
Number of people : Minimum of three people
How to play: First you will mark the front of your pirate ship and the back (usually 20-40 ft away from one another, distance depends upon ages of the participants). You will then choose one person to be “Captain Hook.” One player from the rest of the group will be named “Peter Pan.” All of the players will start at the front of the ship while Captain Hook stands to the side with all of the soccer balls. Peter Pan will yell “to the back of the ship!” All of the players will run to the back of the ship. As they are running Captain Hook will kick balls (at their feet) trying to hit them, like cannonballs. If he hits a player, they become a pirate and join Captain Hook in his quest. If a player makes it to the back of the ship, they are safe until Peter Pan yells “to the front of the ship.” Again, same process occurs until the last player is standing. He then becomes Captain Hook.

Items you need : Two goals (or cones to mark a goal) and one large ball
Number of people : Minimum of four people
How to play : Split into two teams. One team starts with the ball in the goal they are defending and throws the ball to their teammate. The ball is moved up and down the field by passing to teammates trying to score in the other team’s goal. The teams must follow the “3” rule: When in control of the ball you can only hold onto it for three seconds, only take up to three steps and the ball must have been passed three times before a shot is taken. If a ball goes out of bounds by one team, the opposing team gets to throw it in. If a goal is scored, the team that was scored upon starts the game over trying to score on the other team’s goal. Teams may steal from one another in the air, but not swat the ball out of each other’s hands. This game is great exercise, plus your kids will work on their hand-eye coordination.

Items you need : Suitcase, clothing items you would pack for a beach vacation—two of everything (for example, swimsuit, floaties, goggles, swim cap, towel, snorkel gear, flippers), one item to mark the starting line and one item to run to designating the beach
Number of people : Minimum of four people
How to play : Split into two even teams. Each team begins at the starting line next to their suitcase filled with the clothing items. The first player on each team must open their suitcase and put on all of the items in the suitcase. Once all of the items are on properly, the individual must run to the spot designated as the beach and then run back to the starting line (without any clothing/props falling off). Once they return to their starting line they must remove all of the clothing/props and then tag the next player on their team. This continues until all players have gone. The team with all items back in the suitcase first is the winner. You can change the type of relay for a new “adventure.” For example, make it a soccer relay with shinguards, cleats, soccer socks, jersey and dribble a ball down and back or a skiing relay with ski goggles, ski poles, long johns and a bulky coat.

Items you need : Two balls or beanbags
Number of people : Minimum of four players and one referee
How to play : Set up a square field (20’ x 20’). Split the players into two teams and give each player a number. For example, if there are four people per team, each team would have a player with a number one through four. Line the opposing teams up facing each other on the outside of the square field. In the middle of the square field place the two balls or beanbags. The referee will call a number and the player from each team with that number will run to get their balls. At the same time, the other team members will run and try to tag the opposing team’s player retrieving the ball before they get back to their side of the field. If they grab the ball and get tagged by the other team before reaching their team line, then the other team gets a point. Kids and adults alike love this fun tagging game!

Items you need : Odd number of balls (the more the better) and two hula hoops
Number of people : Minimum of four people
How to play : Designate a square field and how long each “period” will last—typically three to five minutes. Divide players into two even teams and each team is placed on an opposite corner with a hula hoop in front of them. The teams line up behind the hula hoop. The first player from each team must run around the designated square field and once back to their starting point run into the middle of the field, grab a ball, bring it back and place it in their hula hoop. Each player can only take one ball. Once the ball is in their team’s hula hoop the next player can go. This continues until all of the balls have been removed from the center. If time remains, the teams may steal balls from each other. Once the time runs out, the team with the most balls in their hula hoop is the winner.