“What If It Were Fun?”
As a pediatric physical therapist who works primarily in children’s homes, I spend a lot of time in the car. One of the ways I use that time is by listening to podcasts, and recently I came across a conversation with James Clear, author of Atomic Habits.
One concept he shared really stuck with me:
“What if it were fun?”
It’s simple—but it completely shifted how I think about working with children and supporting families.
Because when you really think about it, so many of the challenges we face with our kids—whether it’s tummy time, brushing teeth, cleaning up toys, or even participating in pediatric physical therapy—aren’t necessarily hard because they’re impossible… They're hard because they’re not enjoyable.
Rethinking the Hard Things
Think about the everyday challenges we face with our kids.. not just in physical therapy, but in daily life:
Eating vegetables
Brushing teeth
Cleaning their room
Folding laundry
The list goes on and evolves as our children grow.
As parents, it’s easy to fall into the mindset of:
“I know this isn’t fun, but we just have to do it.”
And sometimes, that’s true.
But what if we paused and asked instead:
“What would this look like if it were fun?”
Making Small Shifts That Matter
Take tummy time, for example.
If your baby hates tummy time, consider what that experience feels like from their perspective. Lying on their belly, staring at baseboards or toys just out of reach… it’s not exactly motivating.
Now imagine:
You get down at their level
You make eye contact
You sing, talk, or read a book
Suddenly, tummy time becomes connection, not just a task.
Or think about brushing teeth.
One of my colleagues shared that her husband started counting in different languages. Not only does this give their child a clear countdown for when brushing ends, but it also turns a dreaded task into something playful and engaging.
What about older kids?
If your teenager dreads cleaning their room, instead of battling through resistance:
Let them blast their favorite music
Set a timer and turn it into a “speed clean” challenge
Now the focus shifts from “I have to clean my room” to “How fast can I finish this?”
What This Means for Physical Therapy
Now let’s look at this through a therapeutic lens..
A pediatric physical therapy session is essentially a workout. We may be working on a number of goals, such as building strength, improving coordination, developing balance, increasing endurance, the list goes on. These activities are challenging by design—we have to push boundaries to make progress.
But here’s the key:
Challenging does not have to mean boring.
In fact, research and experience show something incredible:
It can take around 400 repetitions to learn a new skill - but when that same skill is learned through play, it can take as little as 10–12 repetitions.
Why?
Because when something is fun:
Kids are more motivated
They stay engaged longer
They naturally repeat the activity more
And repetition drives progress.
How Do We Turn Exercise Into Play?
At Firm Foundations, we intentionally build play into every session.
Here are a few simple examples:
Turning Core Strength Into Play
Instead of sit-ups, we might have a child:
Lift a stuffed animal between their feet
Pass it to a parent
Create a story about helping their toy travel
Stair Climbing With a Twist
Instead of just going up and down stairs repeatedly:
Place a hoop or bucket at the top to turn it into a “slam dunk game”
The additional task of carrying an item adds challenge while watching the ball roll back down adds fun and excitement - all while naturally setting up the next repetition without the resistance.
Adding Imagination to Movement
The last thing we always consider within our sessions are the child’s NATURAL environment. There are so many items in our homes that can turn into something new and exciting with a little creativity - and without a high price tag.
Race cars down a paper towel ramp
Create obstacle courses
Turn movement into missions or games
Why Play Based Therapy Works
Play-based therapy is not just about fun—it’s about results. We can utilize play to build strength, challenge balance, improve independence, and meet an array of other goals. Play based therapy has also been shown to improve children’s mental health, build social skills, and help develop strong bonds between children and their caregivers. Most importantly, it creates positive experiences around movement, which leads to long-term success both in and out of therapy sessions.
Whether you’re:
Supporting your child’s development
Navigating daily routines
Participating in therapy
The question still applies:
What if it were fun?
Because when we shift from:
“I know it’s hard, but we have to do it”
to:
“I know it’s hard… how can we make it fun?”
Everything changes.
Professional Disclaimer
The information shared in this blog is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace individualized medical advice, evaluation, or treatment. Recommendations are based on general pediatric physical therapy principles and typical child development. Every child is unique, and developmental needs may vary.
Always follow your specific car seat manufacturer’s guidelines and consult your pediatrician or a licensed pediatric physical therapist with any questions or concerns about your child’s development, positioning, or safety.
If you have concerns about your child’s movement, strength, or overall development, a one-on-one assessment with a pediatric physical therapist is recommended.
Need Help Making Movement Fun?
If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure how to support your child’s movement… Or if therapy feels like a battle instead of something your child enjoys—
We’re here to help.
At Firm Foundations, we specialize in:
In-home pediatric physical therapy
Play-based intervention
Helping families build strong foundations for movement
Schedule a FREE 15-minute consultation today and let’s find ways to bring more fun—and more progress—into your child’s day.
Because when it’s fun, children don’t just participate…
They thrive.
