We all know that kids can be pretty active and if they don’t have an appropriate outlet for some of that energy things can get rough. Especially when they are cooped up indoors! You can’t always get them outside to burn that energy off though, so how can we encourage our kids to exercise indoors? There are lots of ways for your kids to get the exercise they need without having to head outdoors or even leave the house.
Indoor Exercise for Kids
Dance Party
Picking some of your kid’s favorite songs and turning up the stereo for a dance party is a great way to lift everyone’s spirits and help them burn off some energy too. Listening to music and dancing releases endorphins which make you feel happy. You don’t need any equipment to have a dance party except for a playlist of your favorite songs. Do you have younger kids? If so, a twist to your dance party is freeze dancing, when the DJ stops the music everyone has to freeze.
Balloon Volleyball
You can use the couch as a net, or tie a string up between two chairs. Use a balloon as your ball and hit it back and forth over the net. If you want to change it up they can head butt the balloon or kick it over the net. Just make sure that you do this activity in an area with enough space so that nothing gets broken.
Hallway Soccer
All you need for this activity is a small plastic ball, and some tape. Tape off a goal on the floor at each end of the hallway and let the fun begin. Use a dry erase board to help you keep score.
Pillow Fight
Who doesn’t like an old fashioned pillow fight? Grab some pillows and let the fun begin. Just make sure that you are in an area where nothing is going to get broken by a tossed pillow, and that the kids know not to hit each other too hard.
Sock Skating
If you have hardwood floors and socks then you have the recipe for an afternoon’s worth of skating fun. Let your kids slip and slide all over the floors. Move the furniture out of the way, and watch out for splinters. If your kids are older you can let them have a sheet of wax paper to put under each foot to make it more slippery and see who has the best moves.
Make a Maze
Use some yarn and turn your hallway into a laser maze. Zig-zag the yarn across the hall at varying heights and see who can get through the maze without touching the lasers. You can also turn this activity into a race to see who can finish first. Once your kids have mastered your maze, take it down and make a new one.
Jump Rope
Jumping rope doesn’t require a whole lot of space, so it can be done indoors and it is an excellent workout that is a lot of fun. This activity might not be for you if you live in an apartment with downstairs neighbors.
Crab Walk Races
Have your kids get into position, belly up, walking backward on their hands and feet. See who can “walk” the fastest. You can also place something small like a bean bag on their bellies and see who can keep it on their belly the longest while racing.
Indoor exercise is a great way to pass the time and burn off some energy when you are stuck indoors.
What are your favorite activities for keeping your kids active when they can’t get outside to play?
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