Running out of fun activities to get your kids moving? Here are a few ideas that might be fun to try.
Find 10 Items
Have your child walk around the house and find 10 things that start with the first letter of their first name. It’s a beautiful day today, so maybe do this one outside. Bring a notepad and have your child write each item down. If you want to do this activity again, try having your child find 10 new things that start with the first letter of their middle name.
Neck Stretches
1. Sit cross-legged or on heels with back straight
2. Inhale and slowly lower right ear to right shoulder
3. Exhale and return to center
4. Inhale and slowly lower left ear to left shoulder
5. Exhale and return to center
6. Inhale and lower chin to chest
7. Exhale and return to center
8. Repeat for 6-8 breaths
Sun Stretch
1. Stand tall, arms by sides
2. Inhale, open arms and bring together overhead
3. Reach overhead and back
4. Hold for 3-4 breaths
5. Exhale
6. Bend at waist, reach hands toward floor
7. Relax head between arms
8. Hold for 3-4 breaths
9. Repeat
Dance and Learn
Place alphabet cards throughout the room on the floor. Then, play music and let your child dance. When the music stops, they must run to a letter. When they get to the letter, they have to say the name, the sound, and a word that starts with that letter. A fun little twist is having them say it in different voices (alien voice, whisper voice, etc.)!
You could also play this with math flash cards in a similar fashion. When the music stops they must shout the answer to the problem they are standing on.
Movement Path
Grab some chalk and create a movement path in your driveway or sidewalk! You can also do this inside using duct tape and scissors. Or, use chalk to make a game to practice math facts.
Draw a National Treasure
Find some national park pictures online or in books, then choose one to draw and color. Or find a color page online that looks fun and relaxing.
Sports Star
Instruct your child to mimic various sports movements for 15 seconds. Serve tennis balls, bump volleyballs, block a jump shot, catch footballs… the possibilities are endless!
Nature Walk
Nature reduces children’s stress while promoting their interest, engagement, social connection, and creativity. Studies also show says that nature improves attention span, self-discipline, and—unsurprisingly—physical fitness. With that being said, take a break out of your day to go on a walk and enjoy the outdoors. Maybe explore some woods near your home and look for “treasures.”