12 fun activities to get your family moving

Za Za Zoo Zoom
Suitable for: Ages two and up
You'll need: Nothing, just some eager youngsters
Method:
1. Ask each child to think of an animal. Think of one yourself.
2.How does your animal sound? Make lion roars, walrus grunts, hyena guffaws, etc.
3. How does your animal move? Start walking, hopping, loping, slithering and so on like your animal. Encourage your "zoomers" to cover as much ground as possible and to move as quickly as possible for the greatest aerobic benefit.
4. Tired of being a tiger? Change animals whenever you like. You can also change up the game by offering suggestions such as "Pretend you're being chased...or sleepy...or happy...or going up a tree." The crazier and wackier your animal acts, the more fun you'll have and the longer your game will last.

Triangle Sumo Challenge
Suitable for: Ages six and up
You'll need: A small rock or other marker
Method:
1. This game is best with three players of approximately the same age, weight and size.
2. Have the children hold hands to form a circle.
3. Place the marker on the ground in the middle of the circle.
4. The object of the game is to get one of the other players to touch the marker without letting go of anyone's hand and without touching the marker yourself. It's sort of like an arm wrestling match, except players are using their whole bodies.
5. To play, kids use their upper body and core strength to push and pull their opponents toward the marker. It's tricky to do without losing your balance or getting pushed to touch the marker yourself. Kids need to use a variety of physical and mental skills to win; for example, balance, leg strength, persistence, and a bit of guile, too!

INDOOR ACTIVITIES
If rotten weather sends you scrambling back indoors, keep the good times hopping inside. Double bonus: Build family fitness and make the house shine when you play these ultra-fun spick-and-span games.

Motocross Mop Race
Suitable for: Ages four and up (Note: Anything that gets kids moving, even walking, will boost aerobic fitness. My kids used to run when they did this and get out of breath and red in the face -- the younger one especially [the 12-year-old is too savvy to get too worked up]. Of course, they don't move much dirt when they do this, but what the heck.)
You'll need: A dry mop; kitchen timer or clock with a second hand
Method:
1. Set the first course for your mop race; for example, try a wide path from the kitchen to the front door and back.
2. Make sure all participants know what they need to mop -- under the kitchen cupboards, for example, or behind the stairwell.
3. Send the mop racers through the course one at a time. Cheer them on as they compete for fastest time, biggest dust bunny nabbed or most glamorous technique.

4. Repeat the race in various parts of the house, varying the events to include backward mopping, no-hands mopping or upside-down mopping.
5.By the end of the races, you should have winners in every category -- and a shining, dust-free floor.