We are in a time of transition and social distancing, and many of you have been asking for ideas of how to keep your kids active while home. Aim for two 20 minute active sessions a day, once before lunch and once in the afternoon. Below are some fun ideas that you might enjoy too!
- Make an obstacle course, outside or inside. Use cones, rings, sticks or wooden spoons, chairs and balls. Time them or make it more challenging each round.
- Build a fort. Find every pillow and blanket in the house. Use appropriate furniture (chairs, couches, beds).
- Go Noodle dance-a-longs. Some of my favourites are Pop See Ko and Trolls. We also love to follow along with I’m a Gummy Bear and Ice Age on YouTube too. For more creative dance time, put on some favourite pop songs to make up your own moves! In our house we love Sing soundtrack, Frozen 2, and anything by Taylor Swift.
- Play Simon Says. One person is Simon. If Simon says “Simon says do this”, then everyone copies. If Simon only says “Do this” without “Simon says” first then anyone who did the movement has to do 5 jumping jacks or 5 push-ups before re-joining the game.
- “Who can” challenges. Who can do 5 push-ups without stopping? Who can do 20 crunches? 10 Burpees? Who can hold plank for 60 seconds? Who can stand on 1 foot? You get the gist.
- Kids yoga. Lots of great reviews for Cosmic Kids Yoga to guide your kids through some breathing and movement. You can also get the Cosmic Kids app for your phone or tablet.
- Workout together! Pop Sugar Fitness has some fun workouts on YouTube and Tone It Up is free for the next two weeks.
- Walk, scoot or bike to the park. We love Micro Scooters and Strider balance bikes for our younger kids. Don’t forget your Nutcase helmet! If the weather doesn’t permit outdoor activity, bring them in the house, but wash the wheels first.
- Garden. Weed, landscape or fill small containers with dirt to plant seeds (we reuse small glass yogurt containers). You could also make sugar-water for hummingbirds if you have a feeder.
- Visit the park or playground. If you’re trying to stay germ-free then wear gloves or bring hand sanitizer, and stay away from the most popular parks.
- Hopscotch or giant game board (ex. Checkers) with non-toxic chalk.
- Three-legged race (remember these as a kid?!) Use a sock to tie legs together or have a sack race on carpet (use a pillow case as the sack).
- Balloon ball (aka indoor volleyball). Play keep-up or “monkey in the middle” or use a piece of tape for a “net” and play the sport of volleyball … BUMP, SET, POP!
- Paper plane challenge. Use recycled or packing paper to make paper airplanes and see who can make it fly the farthest. Encourage running starts for more activity!
- Take a hike. Kids love being in nature as much you do, so tell them everything you love! Make it fun – play eye spy, point out funny-shaped trees or interesting leaves. If they are distracted by their surroundings the often won’t realize how far they’ve walked! Check out hiking trails around Vancouver, but try to avoid the popular ones.
- Have virtual dance parties! Sign up for Tik Tok, learn a popular dance (check out 15 from Buzz Feed) and then post your own! Your kids will love this and think you’re so EXTRA.
- Play games that you already know: GO GO STOP, What time is it Mr Wolf, Stuck in the Mud (tag), Duck Duck Goose, Rock-Paper-Scissors (add a run element for the “loser”), Hot Hands, Thumb War, and more!
- Do relays – running, backwards walking, skipping, hopping, side shuffle… make up some moves and have fun!
- Try Neighborhood Bingo! Make it a BINGO competition OR use it as a cooperative Scavenger Hunt. More options on Pinterest.
- Screen games. Last on the list for a reason, but can be fun and active if you find the right games. Nintendo or PlayStation both have tennis, volleyball, boxing, running races, and many more to get you moving and usually laughing too!
Follow us on Instagram @knowbetterlife to see more ways that we get active with our kids every day!