Olympic games activities for teens

Exercise tips for children inspired by the Olympics 2024

Did you know that teens need at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity exercise a day, across a whole week? And yet, despite this, only 47% of young people are meeting the requirements – according to a recent Active Lives Children and Young People Survey report.

Exercise is also an important part of improved mental health, so not getting enough can be pretty impactful not just on physical health.

So, as the excitement for the Olympics 2024 builds up, it may be the perfect time to get your teen trying out some Olympic-themed activities that they’re inspired by, thanks to the incredible athletes they’ll hear about or see on social media.

From rhythmic gymnastics to adapted sports inspired by the Paralympics, there are plenty of fun and engaging ways to motivate your teen to stay active and healthy. So let’s get into it…

Teen exercise tips inspired by the Olympics 2024

The Olympics are not just about elite athletes competing for gold medals; they’re also a celebration of fitness, discipline, and the joy of movement. So here are some Olympic-inspired activities that can help your teen stay fit and active while having fun.

1. Rhythmic gymnastics

Rhythmic gymnastics is a great sport that combines elements of...

• Ballet
• Dance
• Gymnastics

all performed with ribbons, hoops, balls, clubs, and ropes. 

This Olympic sport is perfect for teen looking to improve their flexibility, coordination, and strength. 

You can encourage your teen to try rhythmic gymnastics by:

• Enrolling them in a local class
• Setting up a practice space at home
• Watching online tutorials and routines for inspiration

Not only is this a great form of exercise, but it also promotes creativity and artistic expression.

2. Athletics

Athletics events are a staple of the Olympics and a great way for teens to take part in various physical activities which can help if they're easily bored by routine.

From running sprints and long-distance races to trying out the high jump and discus throw, there are so many events to choose from. 

Local sports clubs often offer athletics programmes where teens can learn and practise these activities in a supportive environment. 

These exercises enhance:

• Cardiovascular health
• Muscle building
• Overall athletic performance

3. Swimming

Swimming is a popular Olympic sport that’s really good for…

• Building endurance
• Muscle strength
• Cardiovascular fitness (without putting stress on the joints)

You could encourage your teen to take swimming lessons or join a swim team to improve their technique and enjoy the social aspects of the sport. 

Swimming is also a valuable life skill and a great way to stay refreshed and active during the summer months.

4. Paralympic-inspired activities

The Paralympics showcase incredible athletes who’ve overcome physical challenges to compete at the highest level. 

Drawing inspiration from the Paralympics, consider introducing your teen to adaptive sports like:

• Wheelchair basketball
• Sitting volleyball
• Goalball

5. Cycling

Cycling is another Olympic sport that has so many health benefits, including…

• Improved cardiovascular fitness
• Muscle tone
• Better mental wellbeing – cycling is fun!

Whether it's road cycling, mountain biking, or BMX, there are so many styles to explore. 

You could organise family bike rides or encourage your teen to join a local cycling club.

This can also be a pretty cost-effective way to stay active as you can pretty much cycle anywhere and don’t necessarily have to pay to join a club once they have the bike – that’s really the biggest investment. 

Hopefully, by taking inspiration from some of these Olympic-inspired activities, your teen can find some new passions to get them active – if they aren’t super active right now.

You know your teen best, so have a chat with them if you want about what they like the idea of, and you can even do this together as a bonding activity!

Why not support your teen with luna premium?

Our app, luna, has dedicated advice on this topic which can help them feel more empowered through adolescence.

You can think of luna as a modern, digital approach to wellbeing – it’s cost-effective, verified by doctors and safeguarding experts, and has a direct line into the biggest concerns facing teens today – so it’s actually addressing what they need advice on, when they need it.

If you’ve been looking for an antidote to the misinformation and negativity shared on social media or forums, you can get luna for your teen via our luna premium page for the price of a coffee each month or manage their subscription by downloading luna yourself and signing up as a parent (it's "we are luna" in app stores).