Whether you’re a busy parent, nanny, or grandparent tasked with watching the kiddos for an afternoon, it can be challenging to find ways to keep them active and entertained. Fortunately, there are ways to incorporate exercise into play to help kids release energy and stay healthy. With a bit of creativity, you can get them moving and having a good time. Keep reading for five exercises for kids at home that are fun, easy, and perfect for keeping kids active.
5 Exercises for Kids at Home that Feel Like Play
When you think of exercising, you probably picture going on a run, lifting weights at the gym, or taking a Pilates class. But for kids, exercising means staying physically active, often during play or incorporated into a game. That way, they don’t get bored with the activity and can experience the many benefits of exercising, including stronger muscles and bones, a lower risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes, and better sleep. If you want your kids to experience those benefits and more, here are five fun exercises for kids at home.
1. Running: Red Light, Green Light
One of the best forms of exercise is running. However, kids typically don’t enjoy two-mile runs. Instead, get them moving by playing Red Light, Green Light. You can play this game down a long hallway or large room or take it outside for even more space.
How to Play: Have your kids line up at one end of the room, with the finish line across the way. When you say, “Green Light,” everyone runs toward the finish line. When you say, “Red Light,” everyone must stop. If a player is still running when you say “Red Light,” they must go back to the starting line. The first player to get to the finish line wins.
2. Yoga: Animal Moves
Yoga is one of the best exercises for kids at home because it increases flexibility and strength and helps relieve anxiety, boost self-esteem, and enhance concentration. And you don’t need to take your kids to a yoga class to experience these benefits. Instead, do “Animal Moves” yoga at home!
How to Play: You can do yoga with kids even if you aren’t familiar with yoga poses. Simply hop online and search for “yoga animal poses for kids.” Tons of videos, articles, and books pop up showing how to do the move and which animal you’re representing. Once you know the poses you’ll do, place a yoga mat on the floor for extra padding and to avoid slipping and go for it.
3. Jumping: Leapfrog
Get the kids jumping by playing an oldie but a goodie-Leapfrog! You only need two people to play this game, but the more, the merrier! You need a long hallway or large room or go outside for unlimited space.
How to Play: The first player crouches down into a ball on the ground, and the second player runs toward them, places their hands on their back, and leaps over the player on the ground like a frog. Once they land, that player crouches into a ball on the ground, forming a line. Children must jump over all the players in front of them before crouching on the ground–two players keep jumping over one another until they reach the finish line.
4. Push-Ups: Popcorn Push-Up
Push-ups are better with popcorn. This exercise for kids is quite simple, and you don’t need much to play–just an exercise mat for padding on the floor, a small bowl, and some tasty popcorn.
How to Play: Put a bowl of popcorn on the floor at the top edge of your exercise mat. Do a push-up and, as you lower yourself down, stick out your tongue to pick up a piece of popcorn with each repetition.
5. Full-Body Exercise: Dance Party
This one doesn’t need much explaining, yet it’s one of the best full-body exercises for kids at home.
How to Play: Put on some dance music and boogie! With every dance move, the kids will strengthen their hearts and lungs, build muscle, and shake away the blues. For older kids, find a choreographed dance to learn or have them make up their own and perform for you.
Regardless of which exercises for kids at home you try, it’s essential to create a safe and comfortable environment. At We Sell Mats™, we have the exercise mats and flooring you need to do just that. Shop our entire collection today to make working out at home your kiddos’ favorite thing to do!