A few years ago, we bought an Xbox for our family. We aren’t really “gamers” – however – we wanted an indoor, physically active, family activity for the winter months. We have regular “Xbox-offs”; enjoying time together and fun exercise. Here are 5 Active Games For Families which will get your family moving…
5 Active Games For Families
According to Pixelkin Executive Director Linda Breneman, these are the top family active games you need to know about…
1. Disney Fantasia: Music Evolved—Xbox Exclusive
Platforms: Xbox One, Xbox 360 (Kinect required)
ESRB Rating: E10+
Disney Fantasia: Music Evolved lets you be a musical conductor. You must reproduce various gestures in time to the music in order to earn points and unlock even more music. When you really get into it, it definitely gets your heart rate up. Lots of different kinds of music are included, from classical hits like “Eine Kleine Nacht Musik” to classical rock like Queens’ “Bohemian Rhapsody” to modern hits, like Lorde’s “Royals.”
2. Dance Central Spotlight—Xbox Exclusive
Platforms: Xbox One, Xbox 360 (Kinect required)
ESRB Rating: E10+
Dance Central Spotlight has 10 songs included in its base price, and you can get additional songs for $1.99 each. This lets you pay only for the songs you like. There are different routines for each song that you can unlock. Some focus on cardio and strength; others focus on different dance styles. You can also create your own fitness routines by length.
3. Just Dance 2015—PlayStation, Xbox, Wii
Platforms: PlayStation 3 & 4 (Move required), Xbox One, Xbox 360 (Kinect required), Wii and Wii U
ESRB Rating: E10+
Just Dance is upbeat and happy and it doesn’t take itself too seriously. Up to five players can play at once, so it’s great for big family groups. Workout mode sets a number of minutes or number of songs.
4. Tiger Woods PGA Tour 14—PlayStation, Xbox 360
Platforms: Playstation 3 (Move required), Xbox 360 (Kinect required)
ESRB Rating: E
In Tiger Woods PGA Tour 14, you can go back in time and play as—or against—golf legends like Arnold Palmer. You can also try playing on legendary courses and in legendary tournaments.
5. Wii Sports Club—Nintendo Wii U Exclusive
Platforms: Wii U
ESRB Rating: E
Like PGA Tour games, Wii Sports Club is just terrific for multi-generational play. Older folks will enjoy familiar games and movements in the virtual bowling, golf, baseball, boxing, and tennis games.
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My kids’ favourite active video games are Just Dance, Kinect Adventures, and Sports. Our “Xbox-offs” are can be boys Vs girls or parents Vs kids. It’s a good way to learn fair play (includes being a good sport!), taking turns, and keeping active.
Active games are the way to go!
totally agree!
You’re so right about Kinect Adventures. Here’s another one that’s kind of surprising: Fruit Ninja. You slice fruits that are coming at you. REALLY FUN!
I have Fruit Ninja on my phone – it’s a great game to keep kids busy while waiting at dentist/doctor’s offices.
The kids and I love to play games like bowling and tennis on our wii. We are very competitive work and up quite a a sweat while playing.
The adventure game has us jumping and squatting – I totally get what you mean about working up a sweat while playing!
When the weather is warmer, we like to go for family walks (or even runs). But then it is usually topped off by a visit to the local yogurt shop…
I fully support that topping off 😉
These are all great games. I love finding games that promote family togetherness.
Me too. Being on screens often disconnect us as a family so it’s nice to get together in front of one screen and connect in fun and fitness
Great list of games! We already have a few of these and the kids and me love them
I find a winter list of activities can be a great sanity saver
I’d love to play the Fantasia game! Movement with Disney is a great combo 🙂
I’m going to have to track down a copy of Fantasia – I bet my son would love it
love active games for kids
Me too – keeps them busy and gets the bodies moving
All good choices. I own all of them. LOL We love playing games as a family, especially electronic ones.
lol great minds get active alike 😉
Just Dance is a great gaming title for the family
And you can pick up some new dance moves 😉
My kids love Just Dane on Kinect. It’s one of their favourite games to play with their cousins when we all get together.
Just Dance is fun! We did it as the activity for a birthday party once.
Anything that promotes togetherness is a good thing but I prefer more outdoor activities to being in the house. A good mix is great.
I love getting outside with the family as well – but when it goes down to -25C here in Canada – inside activities are a must.
I’d like to try a zumba video game. It would keep me moving for sure!
I keep hearing about Zumba – supposed to be great. I’d love to try it myself.
We are a xbox family and love using the xbox connect to have xbox off’s I thought we were the only ones. Would be nice if your family and our family could have a xbox off some day don’t you think ? I love Just dance but I have to play it when the rest of the family isn’t around other wise I get laughed at ha ha. Love the other games too but I have to say Just dance is my favorite.
Family Vs Family xbox offs is a great idea! Get everyone moving.
We don’t play many video games together, but we do have a lot of family game nights. We love games.
I don’t have kids, but I bust a serious move on “Just Dance”. I’m just saying…
I’m a big fan of the Wii U. Their party games are always the best, and they DO get you moving.
We got the kids the Just Dance 2014 and 2015 and they just love it. The whole house shakes when they play it!
My kids are absolutely gamers and I think that they would love these! I can’t say I don’t like a little Just Dance myself 🙂
We have a Wii and we love to play all the great sports games together. We love the Wii sports. We have bowling parties all the time.
We love playing video games together. We have the xbox 360 and love all the coop family games it offers. But that Disney Fantasia: Music Evolved looks fabulous! Totally up our alley!
These look awesme! Fantasia and Just Dance are my faves!
I really want the Dance Central game. My kids would play it and it would be a good workout for me!
I think I’d have a ton of fun with the dance games. I wouldn’t mind trying those!
The dance games can seriously work up a good sweat! I think it’s awesome to use your XBox as a way to get physical activity for the whole family!
This is a fantastic list. It’s so important to keep the kids, and entire family for that matter moving.
We have Xbox with kinect and we love the Just Dance and Dance Central games. We usually play as a family.
Thanks for the tips! Going to check out the Just Dance 2015!
We love our Wii, so the Wii Sports Club game is a great pick to get the family up and moving and having fun together.
Video games are not something that I typically enjoy but I do enjoy all of the dancing games that I have ever played and it is also something that the kids can do with me to stay active. Give more than their fingers a workout.
Using game likes this are a great way to let kids “play video games” but be active – so it is a win-win plus everyone can get involved so it great for a family activity!