5 Books to Help Motivate Kids to Exercise

Wiggle, by Doreen Cronin and Scott Menchin
Wiggle and shimmy along with the rhyming text of this book as an energetic (and flexible!) pup bends and dances his way through the pages. Follow along as the happy hound wags and wiggles all his silliness out in ever-increasing hysteria to finally fall asleep under the moon. I did mention that sleep is an important benefit to exercising, didn’t I? Shh! Don’t tell your kids.

The Yoga Zoo Adventure: Animal Poses and Games for Little Kids, by Helen Purperhart and Barbara van Amelsfort
Using an imaginary trip to the zoo as inspiration, this book invites readers to observe and imitate the poses of all the animals found within. Activities for pairs, individuals, and groups are included, as well as yogic theory cleverly hidden within animal stories, and fascinating facts about animals. Perhaps your child will be inspired to create poses of his or her own. This book is a wonderful jumping-off place for further exploration of yoga for children.

Get Up and Go!, by Nancy Carlson
Why exercise, anyway? Get Up and Go! explains just why exercise is so essential and shows some easy ways to get started. Starting with the statement that “we all come in different shapes and sizes, and it doesn’t matter if you are tall, short, skinny, or round. Your body is your own, and you need to take care of it,” Get Up and Go! has a clear, fun, positive message, and will bolster kids’ self-esteem while encouraging their healthy habits.

The Busy Body Book: A Kid’s Guide to Fitness, by Lizzy Rockwell
Bodies are amazing! This book takes a look inside and outside the human body to explain how exercise affects different areas and processes, all told through energetic text and illustrations of kids having fun, doing what they love to do. Helping kids see the connection between physical activity and their own bodies might inspire a lifelong interest in keeping in shape.

Move!, by Lolly Hopwood and YoYo Kusters
Less a book, and more of a game, Move! incites the readers to locomote in a variety of energetic, active ways. Whether using the book to chomp like a pair of dinosaur jaws, rowing it like oars in a boat, or using the book as a surfboard, each spread of pages provides adventurous activities that should get even the most reluctant lazybones off the couch and jumping around.