
Home Exercises for Teens: Feel Happy & Healthy
(Inside: Exercise ideas for teens that will help spark a love of movement. These home exercises can help your family feel happy and healthy during the quarantine.)
We’re 11 days into this coronavirus-stay-at-home pandemic and here’s what I’m learning. When spending every waking second together, if we don’t exercise, we get a little, ahem, shall I say…temperamental…
Growling becomes our thing. It’s really, really…NOT lovely.
But, exercise helps.
A lot.
Moving our bodies lifts our spirits and makes us kinder, gentler people.
However, even though our brains know this, our bodies want to eat Cheetos and watch superhero movies. We have to force ourselves to push past I-don’t-feel-like-it and just start.
Exercise Ideas for Teens
Since PE class is canceled, sports seasons are postponed and friends aren’t allowed over, we’ve had to be creative and intentional about trying to move for 30-60 minutes a day in our home.
We’ve made it a family expectation, and honestly, staying consistent(ish) with it is going fairly well. We all seem to like our chosen activity.
So, here are some awesome ideas to release those happy endorphins, written specifically for teens, but also for siblings and parents…
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1. Sports
If your teen loves sports, this quarantine is an awesome opportunity to work on their skills. Teens can research drills for their sport and come up with a training plane. Here are some ideas:
- Quick feet indoor soccer drills
- Indoor dribbling drills for basketball players
- Improve your tennis skills from home
- At home speed and agility football workout
- Sports endurance and agility workout for all sports that you can do at home
2. Yoga
For those who don’t love high-endurance exercising, yoga just might be perfect for them. The stretching and breathing can be an instant mood booster. Here are a few places to start:
- 20-minute beginner yoga class
- Higher impact yoga
- Yoga for strength
3. At-home equipment
Time to stop using the treadmill or bike to hang your laundry on… Dust it off, tuck earbuds in, crank up the music or inspirational podcasts and get that body moving.
Related article: 146+ Best Chapter Books for Tweens that Will Also Build Character

4. Use the stairs
I grew up in small homes on the various military bases my dad was stationed – we didn’t ever have extra space for equipment. My dad would set a timer and huff it up and down the stairs. Even 10 or 15 minutes will help us all break a sweat.

5. Go for a walk
We can grab our dogs (coronavirus is the best thing that’s happened to them), a skateboard, favorite music and enjoy a walk. There’s nothing like nature.
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5. Ride your bike
There’s a reason why biking is so popular, it’s so much fun. Rekindle the love of two wheels and enjoy being outside through biking.
Related Link: Everything’s been canceled – but, love hasn’t…

6. Dance!
I threw on a song and pulled out my nineties moves. My boys were not into it… They ran. But, that’s exercise too so I’m calling it a parenting win.
However, for those that like to dance, here are some fun videos:
- 20-min hip-hop dance class
- Beginning contemporary dance routine
- Learn to tap dance
- Learn ballet video
- Hip-hop cardio routine
- 30-min Latin dance workout
7. Strength and conditioning routines
There are so many great videos that focus on strength and conditioning. I can usually talk myself into 10 minutes. Then once I’ve warmed up, I can talk myself into one more video. Here are a few of my favorites:
8. Cardio workout videos
I forgot how much I like a quality exercise video. These are some good ones:
- 30-minute standing cardio workout
- 30-minute at-home cardio workout
- 30-min no-equipment strength and cardio routine
- 30-minute no-equipment cardio workout (My favorite!)
9. Kickboxing
Kickboxing makes exercising way more fun. Here are some quality routines:
- 30-min no-equipment cardio kickboxing workout (My fav!)
- Killer kickboxing and cardio workout
- 30-min below the belt kickboxing workout
- 45-min cardio kickboxing boot camp
10. Play!
There are so many ways to move that don’t feel like exercising because they’re fun:
- skateboarding
- rollerblading
- play tag, ghosts in a graveyard, or capture the flag with your siblings
- garden
- jump on the trampoline
- create street art out of chalk
- fly a kite
- shoot hoops – play PIG or HORSE
- create a fort outside, craft something (think of all the up and down, lifting and moving you do when you create)
- sculpt your yard – mow, stain your deck, create a pretty outdoor space for your family (working is my version of play)


11. Clean!
I saved the best for last and I’m so incredibly serious about this idea. I can work up a sweat cleaning out closets, vacuuming, and moving laundry around. Multitask by cleaning/organizing/purging clutter. Get your sweat on and see your rewarding result – a clean, organized room. Need inspiration? Watch Marie Kondo on NetFlix. Or watch her tips below. (Grab a family cleaning chart to help things go well here.)
A clean, tidy space is so nice to walk into – this could be your room!

Exercise Ideas for Teens: Your turn!
What’s your favorite way to exercise? Email me or let me know in the comments.
For more than exercise ideas for teens, read the full “entertaining tweens and teens” series…
The other day, I saw of picture of when my kids were little (like when I wrote this post), and I thought I so deeply want to go back to this season of life. I miss it.
But just as quickly as that thought came, another thought followed Someday, I will see pictures of my current parenting phase (raising tweens and teens) and wish to come back to today.
So, I want to do my best to enjoy this season of life. These ideas on how to connect with and entertain tweens and teens can help…
Entertaining Tweens and Teens Series
INSPIRATION
How a Messy House is Good for Your Kids
IDEAS
85+ Kids Activities That Promote Creativity
READING
146+ Best Chapter Books for Tweens that will Also Build Character
Compelling Books That High Schoolers Will Want to Read
EXERCISE
Home Exercises for Your Teens & the Whole Family (Feel Healthy & Happy)
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Cheryl is a mom of 3 boys, wife, speaker, high school teacher, and author of Empowered Moms & Kids. She has a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and is passionate about learning and teaching. On www.empoweredmomsandkids.com you’ll find inspiration and encouragement for moms raising tweens and/or teens. Read more in the “about” section of this page.