TL;DR: Yes, active video games (or "exergaming") absolutely count as physical activity, but they aren't a 1:1 replacement for traditional sports. Think of them as a "bridge" activity—perfect for rainy days, movement-resistant kids, or breaking the "Skibidi Toilet" trance. The gold standards right now are Ring Fit Adventure for a full-body workout, Beat Saber for cardio and coordination, and Just Dance for pure, goofy family fun.
We’ve all been there: staring at our kid while they sit like a statue for three hours, their only movement being the frantic twitching of their thumbs while playing Roblox or watching some "Ohio" meme compilation for the fiftieth time. It’s the ultimate parental guilt trip. We want them outside, we want them moving, but sometimes the friction of getting everyone dressed and out to a park feels like a Herculean task.
Enter the "Exergame." It’s been a promise since the early 2000s when the Wii Sports era had us all accidentally throwing controllers through our TV screens. But the tech has changed. We’ve moved past simple wagging of a remote to sophisticated motion tracking and VR that can actually leave a teenager gasping for air.
But does it actually do anything for their health, or is it just "diet screen time"?
Exergaming is any video game that requires physical exertion or full-body movement to play. We aren't talking about leaning into a turn in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe—we’re talking about games where if you don't move, you don't win.
This category ranges from mobile "walk-a-thons" like Pokémon GO to full-blown fitness RPGs like Ring Fit Adventure. The goal is to use the "dopamine hit" of gaming—leveling up, earning badges, beating high scores—to mask the fact that you’re actually doing squats or cardio.
If you're looking for your kid to become a D1 athlete solely by playing Nintendo Switch Sports, I have bad news. However, if the goal is "moderate-intensity physical activity," the data is actually pretty encouraging.
Research generally uses METs (Metabolic Equivalent of Task) to measure energy expenditure. Sitting quietly is 1.0 MET. Walking is around 3.0. Intense running can be 8.0 or higher.
- Sedentary Gaming: 1.0 - 1.5 METs (basically the same as sleep).
- Active Gaming (Just Dance): 3.0 - 5.0 METs.
- High-Intensity VR (Beat Saber on Expert): 6.0 - 8.0 METs.
In short: playing an active game is roughly equivalent to a brisk walk or a light jog. For a kid who would otherwise be horizontal on the couch, that’s a massive win. It increases heart rate, improves hand-eye coordination, and—most importantly—it changes their relationship with movement from "chore" to "play."
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This is the undisputed heavyweight champion of fitness gaming. It comes with a "Ring-Con" (a flexible plastic hoop) and a leg strap. It’s a literal RPG (Role Playing Game) where you defeat monsters by doing squats, overhead presses, and yoga poses.
- Why it works: It’s surprisingly difficult. If you don't have proper form, the game knows.
- Best for: Ages 8+. It requires some focus and the physical strength to squeeze the ring.
If you haven't seen this, imagine Guitar Hero but you’re a Jedi in a neon world slicing blocks to the beat of the music.
- Why it works: On higher difficulty levels, it is an intense cardio workout. Your arms will be jelly after 20 minutes.
- Best for: Ages 12+ (due to VR headset weight and eye development recommendations).
The classic. You mirror the dancers on screen. It’s less about "fitness" and more about movement and rhythm.
- Why it works: It’s social. This is the one you pull out when friends are over or for family game night.
- Best for: All ages. Even toddlers can flail around and have a blast.
The game that famously got an entire generation to walk outside in 2016 is still going strong.
- Why it works: It turns a boring 2-mile walk into a treasure hunt. It’s "low-intensity" but high-duration movement.
- Best for: Families who want to get out of the house together.
For older kids or teens who need a reason to go for a jog. It’s an immersive audio drama where you are a "Runner" in a zombie apocalypse. If you hear zombies through your headphones, you have to speed up in real life to outrun them.
- Why it works: It’s genuinely thrilling and turns a boring run into a mission.
- Best for: Ages 12+.
Ages 5-8: At this age, keep it simple and fun. They don't need a "workout"; they need to burn off that chaotic energy. Just Dance or Nintendo Switch Sports (specifically the bowling and tennis) are great because the controls are intuitive. Avoid VR at this age; their necks aren't quite ready for the weight of the headsets, and their depth perception is still developing.
Ages 9-12: This is the sweet spot for Ring Fit Adventure. They are old enough to follow the "form" instructions and competitive enough to want to beat the bosses. This is also a great age for Pokémon GO as they start wanting more independence outdoors.
Ages 13+: Teens are usually the hardest to move. High-intensity VR like Beat Saber or Superhot VR often appeals to them because it feels "cool" and high-tech rather than "exercise."
- The "Buffer Zone": I cannot stress this enough—make sure there is a 6-foot radius of clear space. Active games lead to flailing limbs. We’ve seen enough shattered TVs and kicked coffee tables to last a lifetime.
- Repetitive Strain: Just because it’s a game doesn't mean you can't get "Tennis Elbow." If your kid is playing Nintendo Switch Sports for four hours straight, their wrist is going to feel it.
- VR Sickness: Some kids (and adults) get motion sick in VR. Start with short 10-minute sessions to see how they handle it. If they feel dizzy, stop immediately—you can't "power through" VR motion sickness.
- The Sweat Factor: If you're using a VR headset for exercise, it will get sweaty. Invest in some silicone face covers that you can wipe down, or things are going to get gross very quickly.
If you frame these games as "Exercise Time," your kids will probably roll their eyes and head back to YouTube. Instead, frame it as a challenge or a shared activity.
- "I bet I can get a higher score than you on this song in Just Dance."
- "Let’s see if we can take down this boss in Ring Fit before dinner."
- "There’s a rare Pokémon at the park, want to go for a quick walk to grab it?"
The goal isn't to replace the soccer team; it's to replace the sedentary scrolling.
Is "Joystick Jogging" as good as a 5-mile hike in the woods? No. But is it a legitimate way to improve cardiovascular health, coordination, and mood? Yes.
In a world where digital "brain rot" is the default, any tech that encourages kids to stand up, sweat, and move their bodies is a tool worth having in your parenting arsenal. It’s not a cheat code for fitness, but it’s a fantastic way to make sure that even on the rainiest, "laziest" Saturday, your family is getting their heart rates up.
- Audit your consoles. If you have a Switch, look into Ring Fit Adventure. It’s the best investment for active home gaming.
- Set a "Movement First" rule. Maybe 20 minutes of an active game earns 40 minutes of a sedentary game like Minecraft.
- Join in. These games are significantly more fun (and funny) when parents are failing at dance moves alongside their kids.
Ask our chatbot for a personalized "Active Gaming" plan for your family