By Michelle Hering, M.S., Best Life fitness expert

Now that you have kids, you may have found that those long sweat sessions at the gym or regular, rejuvenating hikes that you used to take have become a thing of the past. Between PTA meetings, little league games and play dates, trying to squeeze in a quick walk or bike ride seems like mission impossible. But you can have a family and still fit in fitness. In fact, the best way to do it is to include the whole family in your workout plans.

Pick a day (ideally, it will be the same day each week) and plan a family activity. No matter what, keep that day a designated fun day. Give everyone a chance to weigh in on what you’ll do: From miniature golf to flying a kite, the sky’s the limit when it comes to choosing the activity. Check out the list below for some family-friendly ways you can stay fit. Hey, it beats sweating away in some stuffy gym any day!

Spin your wheels. Hop on your bikes and take a long ride; either in your own neighborhood or on a local bike trail. Don’t forget your helmet!

Have fun in the sun. Go to the beach, but instead of just lying on the sand, walk around and collect shells or toss a Frisbee.

Get back to basics. Make use of your own backyard. It’s often overlooked as a place for adventure, but just think of all the fun things you can do, including having a catch, jumping rope, playing tag with the kids or participating in lawn games like croquet.

Head outdoors. Go to a local park or hiking trail and enjoy a nature walk. Or, try flying a kite together.

Try something new. Learn a new sport, such as volleyball, tennis or soccer, as a family.

Multitask. Get fit while doing chores: Wash the car, rake leaves in the fall (and then jump in them), shovel snow and make a snowman and plant new flowers, trees or plants in the spring (let everyone choose their favorite flower and/or produce).

Find a farm. Visit a local farm where you can pick your own produce. This is a great activity for the fall when you can go pumpkin- and apple-picking.

Hit the slopes. When it gets cold, take the family skiing. Both down-hill and cross country are fun and offer a great workout.