By Kate Cohen
Updated November 11, 2026

 

The holidays are here again, and the instinct to eat, drink, and be merry is strong.

Luckily, you can have your eggnog and drink it, too, as you stay active throughout the holiday season.

Whether you’re traveling, hosting, or keeping your celebrations intimate this year, there are plenty of fun ways to get moving and engage the whole family.

The Rosen Aquatic & Fitness Center is here all season as your go-to for exercise and activity. In case the hustle and bustle of the holidays keep you from your regular fitness routine, here are our favorite ways to stay active with family during the holidays.

 

Ways to Stay Active with Family During the Holidays

 

Key Takeaways

• Why Staying Active During the Holidays Matters
• 1. Sign Up for a Holiday Fun Run
• 2. Head Outside with a Holiday Scavenger Hunt
• 3. Give Active Gifts
• 4. Clean the House Together
• 5. Go Ice Skating
• 6. Try an Online Fitness Class Together
• 7. Alleviate Holiday Stress with Yoga, Stretching, and Mindfulness
• 8. Enjoy a Family Swim
• Make RAFC Part of Your Wellness Routine This Holiday Season

 

Why Staying Active During the Holidays Matters

The holiday season is full of indulgent celebrations, special time with loved ones, travel, and yes, sometimes stress. All of these things can make it challenging to keep up with healthy habits.

Staying active during the holidays is more than balancing your calorie intake. Physical activity can boost energy, reduce stress and anxiety, support better sleep, and improve mood and well-being – all of which are important during this celebratory season.

And, when so many things can feel out of control at this time of year (travel plans, the weather, Uncle Joe’s fourth glass of eggnog), choosing to move your body and do something healthy for yourself is something you actually can control.

Plus, including family members, kids included, during physical activity encourages healthy habits and establishes movement as a family priority.

Staying active doesn’t mean squeezing in hours at the gym between holiday celebrations. In fact, some of the best seasonal workouts are the ones that don’t feel like exercise at all.

Here are eight fun ways to keep the whole family moving this holiday season.

 

1. Sign Up for a Holiday Fun Run

From Turkey Trots to Jingle Runs, there’s always a fun, festive race to enjoy over the holidays.

These holiday-inspired 5Ks are the perfect way to don your holiday athletic gear and hit the pavement with your loved ones.

Whether you walk or run to the finish line, you’ll feel the spirit of the season surrounded by Santas, elves, reindeer, turkeys, and plenty of jolly comradery.

Here is a list of holiday fun runs in Orlando this season:

• Seniors First Turkey Trot 5K
• Formosa Wine Run Turkey Trot 5K
• Greg Warmoth Reindeer Run
• Candy Cane Course
• Dream Finders Homes 12Ks & 5Ks of Christmas
• Santa Hustle Race Series

 

2. Head Outside with a Holiday Scavenger Hunt

Taking a nice walk around the neighborhood or a nearby park is the perfect way to stretch your legs and get out of the house.

It’s even better when you have a holiday-themed scavenger hunt in hand!

Hit the sidewalks and start searching for classic holiday icons as you stroll. The first person to cross every item from the list can win a prize or gets to pick the holiday movie you watch as a family later.

With a fun objective in mind, a family walk can turn into a festive activity that everyone can enjoy.

 

3. Give Active Gifts

One way to get everyone excited about staying active is to give active items as gifts this year.

Hula hoops, frisbees, jump ropes, mini trampolines, and any kind of sports balls are all great gift ideas to get everyone outdoors and moving.

Larger gifts like yoga mats, fitness trackers, and dance classes or sports team memberships are also wonderful for encouraging a mindful and active lifestyle throughout the holidays and beyond.

 

4. Clean the House Together

Whether you’re hosting for the holidays or just trying to stay organized, turn cleaning the house into a fun activity.

Turn up the tunes and have a dance party as you move from room to room. Make a special cleaning playlist and let everyone contribute their favorite songs that make them want to move and groove.

While cleaning the house is already an active activity, turn your cleaning into a workout. Try vacuum cleaner lunges in the living room, or calf raises while you’re unloading the dishwasher.

Do squats as you dust the baseboards and burpees each time you bend down to pick up a toy.

You can also turn cleaning into a game. Assign everyone a space and have a clean-up race to see who can finish the fastest. Or, give everyone a specific color and set them loose to pick up items of that color around the house.

When you have an exciting family activity that results in a clean house, everyone wins!

 

5. Go Ice Skating

Nothing says “holiday” more than ice skating – well, except maybe curling up with a cup of hot cocoa afterwards.

Even in Orlando, there are plenty of places where you can hit the ice for some fun, wintery exercise.

Check out our list of Where to Go Ice Skating in Orlando and round up the family for some old-fashioned holiday activity.

 

6. Try an Online Fitness Class Together

The holiday season is busy. It can be a challenge to find time to set aside for physical activity.

But remember, even a 15- or 20-minute workout can make a difference, especially for your mood and mental health.

Cut the travel time to the gym and instead, stream an online fitness class at home that everyone can do together.

Whether it’s an energetic dance routine, a sweat-inducing HIIT workout, or a calming yoga flow, a great fitness class can inspire everyone to get up and active without needing gym equipment.

You can find a variety of free workout videos on YouTube or on apps like FitOn, Nike Training Club, and Peloton.

 

7. Alleviate Holiday Stress with Yoga, Stretching, and Mindfulness

As wonderful and magical as the holidays can be, they can also be stressful for many people, kids included.

Make a conscious effort to disconnect from your phones and give yoga a try.

Set the scene with gentle instrumental holiday music, a fire in the fireplace (if you have one), and your holiday lights twinkling and glowing around you.

Sit or lay comfortably on the floor and follow a guided meditation, a simple yoga video, or a quick holiday stretch.

While this is a great activity to do as a family, it’s also the perfect thing to do with a few spare moments of alone time, especially if you’re feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or just need a moment for yourself.

 

8. Enjoy a Family Swim

Swimming is a great family activity that’s active, but low impact.

Whether you’re practicing swimming skills, playing pool games, or just enjoying an easy dip in the pool, the water offers a great opportunity to get moving without feeling like you’re exercising.

Rosen Aquatic & Fitness Center’s indoor pools offer a comfortable setting for swimming, so you don’t have to worry about whether the weather outside is too frightful for pool time.

Confident swimmers of all ages can enjoy one of RAFC’s aquatic fitness classes, too, for an entertaining experience that offers a balance of cardio and resistance training in the water.

 

Make RAFC Part of Your Wellness Routine This Holiday Season

The holidays are all about family and gratitude, and this year, we’re grateful to have you as part of our RAFC family.

Whether you’re looking to swim laps, try a group fitness class, or simply take some time for yourself in our state-of-the-art fitness center, RAFC can be your holiday fitness destination.

Check out our website for more information on memberships, fitness programs, amenities, and more.

We hope you find many opportunities to enjoy the magic of the holidays with your family as you make meaningful memories and give the priceless gift of quality time.

We look forward to seeing you and your family in the pool and the fitness center soon!