Are you searching for fresh and thrilling activities to keep your kid active? It is essential to keep kids physically involved for their growth and progress, but it is hard to identify activities that will keep them amused. Check out these 5 imaginative ideas for physical play - they will certainly make your child giggle and have a blast!
Obstacle course:
Set up an obstacle course using household items like pillows, chairs, and hula hoops. Have your child run, jump, crawl, and climb through the course. Time them to see if they can beat their own record!
Set up an obstacle course for your child! Use household items like pillows, chairs and hula hoops to create a space for running, jumping, crawling and climbing. Time your child to see if they can beat their own record. Here's a 5-step guide:
- Pick a spot: Find an open area in your house or yard. Make sure your child has enough room to move around.
- Gather items: Look for items that can be used as obstacles. Pillows, chairs, hula hoops and blankets are great challenges.
- Create a pathway: Arrange the obstacles in a strategic way. Place pillows on the ground for them to jump over or crawl under. Use chairs as hurdles or tunnels.
- Time it! Encourage your child to complete the course as quickly and safely as possible. Track their progress with a timer.
- Get creative: Let your child use their imagination. They can rearrange items or come up with new challenges.
Add themes for even more excitement. For example, create a jungle-themed course with hula hoops as vines or a superhero-themed adventure with capes. This activity will help your child develop motor skills, coordination and problem-solving abilities. Plus, it provides a break from screens. So have fun, get active and beat those records!
Dance party:
Put on some upbeat music and have a dance party with your child. Encourage them to try different dance moves and create their own choreography.
Dance parties are a great way to keep your child active and entertained. Put on some lively music to create a fun atmosphere and encourage your child to explore their own dance moves.
- Pick upbeat music that your child enjoys.
- Clear enough space for them to move around.
- Start with warm-up exercises like stretching or light jogging.
- Experiment with different dance styles, like hip-hop, ballet, or freestyle.
- Guide them through creating their own choreography.
- Let them perform it for family or friends.
Provide positive feedback to boost their confidence. Dancing helps improve coordination and rhythm skills and also boosts self-expression, social connections, and mood.
My niece attended virtual dance classes during the pandemic. Despite not being able to attend a studio class, she was able to follow the instructor's moves and make her own choreography. Seeing the enthusiasm and creativity in her movements when she danced around the living room was amazing. It showed me how even in difficult times, dance can bring joy and energy to a child's life.
Scavenger hunt:
Create a scavenger hunt with clues that lead your child around the house or yard. Make sure to include physical challenges like jumping jacks or hopscotch.
Scavenger hunts are a great way to keep your child busy and challenged. Make a hunt with clues that'll lead your kid around the house or yard. Include physical challenges like jumping jacks or hopscotch for an extra element of fun and exercise.
Here are 3 steps to make a successful hunt with physical challenges:
- Plan clues: Think of creative clues that'll take your child from one place to the next. Have each clue require them to do a physical challenge before getting the next one. For example, hide a clue near the jump rope and make them do 10 jumping jacks before they can find it.
- Set up hiding spots: Put each clue in a unique spot that goes with the physical challenge. This could be under a pillow for hopscotch or behind a tree for jumping jacks. Arrange them so they lead your child around different parts of the house or yard.
- Give rewards: Offer small rewards for each physical challenge or clue. This could be stickers or treats. The excitement of rewards will keep your child wanting to do more.
Scavenger hunts with physical challenges promote an active lifestyle and develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Adjust the difficulty level for your kid's age and abilities. Keep it challenging but not too hard so it's not frustrating.
Balloon volleyball:
Blow up a balloon and have your child hit it back and forth with you. This is a fun and safe way to play volleyball indoors.
Balloon volleyball is a great indoor activity that will bring hours of fun and excitement for both you and your child. Plus, it's easy to set up and requires minimal equipment. Here's how to play:
- Blow up a balloon to a suitable size for your child.
- Clear an open area in your home.
- Use furniture, tape, or other objects to create boundaries for the game.
- Stand facing each other on opposite sides of the imaginary net.
- Take turns hitting the balloon back and forth over the net, trying to keep the rally going for as long as possible!
- Keep score or just have fun.
Balloon volleyball is perfect for indoor play. The lightness of the balloon makes it easier for young children to participate. Additionally, balloons move more slowly through the air than regular volleyballs, giving players more time to react.
This game has been enjoyed by people all over the world for centuries. Now it's an ideal pastime for families looking for active indoor activities. Let your child enjoy balloon volleyball and improve their coordination and motor skills!
Animal walk:
Have your child imitate different animal walks like crab walk, bear walk, and frog hop. This is a great way to get them moving and improve their coordination.
Animal Walk is great for kids! It helps them move and boosts their coordination. Here's how to do it:
- Find a spot: Choose an open area where your child can move around easily. Your backyard, a park, or inside could work!
- Show them how: Show your kiddo the movements of different animals. Start with the crab walk (walking sideways on all fours). Then, the bear walk (crawling on fours like a bear). Finally, the frog hop (squat down and jump forward).
- Make it creative: Let your child add their own twists to the moves. They could make sounds or create stories while doing the animal walks.
- Set challenges: Set goals or obstacles for each animal walk. Ask them to finish a certain distance in a set time or go through cones in a chosen animal posture.
- Join in: Race or imitate animal sounds together. This strengthens your bond and motivates them to stay active.
So there you go, these were some ways to keep your kids active and foster creativity. Give these a try and comment below which one did your kid like the most.
