There is a way of enticing children to participate in physical activity -- make it fun! You'll have to pretend that you as parents have gone out of town and there is a party going on at your house. Then let down your guard and get ready to be invited to the party. Turn up the music and put away the breakables. Pull out some blankets, balloons and balls and get ready to have a blast together!
These games of frolic have many health and fitness benefits that will add to your child's overall well-being, but don't let them know. The exercises will improve strength, agility, leg power, core strength and speed. There is also plenty of room for innovation, imagination, communication and lots of teamwork.
Blanket run
Improves strength and leg power
Courtesy of Mindy Myrlea (mindymyrlea.com)
This game is best executed in a school gym, where the obstacles are few and the space is large. However, you may find it works well on tile or hardwood floors.
• One or two children hold the two corners of a blanket
• One child is on top of the blanket with no body parts touching the ground
• The child(ren) holding the blanket drags the other as fast as they can across the floor.
• For agility and movement patterning they can stop/start and change directions.
Plank tennis ball roll and grab
Improves core and upper body strength and hand-eye co-ordination
• One child props her body up in a plank position (facing the ground, hovering body weight with arms long, abs tight and on to toes with legs long and wide spread like a 'V') -- her body should look like a plank of wood, not a bent up pipe cleaner
• The child holds the position while another child rolls a ball, starting from the V-shaped leg opening.
• The ball will roll along the ground from her feet toward her head. The child then tries to grab the ball with one hand while supporting herself with the other.
• Aim for best out of five tries and switch participants.
Beachball or balloon locomotion
Improves motor actions, co-operation and communication
Courtesy of More Innovative Games by Brenda Lichtman.
• Pairs of individuals place a beachball or balloon between specific body parts -- forehead to forehead, derriere to derriere, shoulder to shoulder, etc.
• They are not allowed to hold the ball/balloon or each other as they traverse a set distance.
• If the ball becomes dislodged you may choose to:
a) have them re-start from begiining spot
b) start at another line they may have already crossed
c) stop and reposition the ball/balloon without the use of their hands
• You may race between teams, beat personal best times, add many different transport spots to finish the race, etc. There are many possible options.
You can also try different body transport parts within teams, such as forehead to back, forehead to elbow, thigh to elbow, etc.
Now that you've added a little fun to the proceedings, watch as your children love active living!
