25 Ways To Get Kids Moving At Home

BY CHRISTY HINKO chinko@antonmediagroup.com

The importance of kids’ fitness over the summer break cannot be overstated. With schools closed and children having more free time, it is crucial to encourage and prioritize physical activity during this period. Engaging in regular exercise and staying active offers numerous benefits that contribute to a child’s overall well-being and development.

Summer break often leads to a more sedentary lifestyle, with children spending extended hours indoors watching television, playing video games, or using electronic devices. This lack of physical activity can have adverse effects on their health. Regular exercise helps combat obesity, improves cardiovascular health, and enhances muscle strength and flexibility. It also helps maintain a healthy weight, which is especially important considering the rising rates of childhood obesity.

In addition to the physical benefits, kids’ fitness during summer b reak promotes mental and emotional well-being. Exercise stimulates the release of endorphins, often referred to as “feel-good” hormones, which can help reduce stress, anxiety, and symptoms of depression. Physical activity fosters better concentration, cognitive function, and overall brain development, which can positively impact academic performance when children return to school.

Engaging in outdoor activities and sports during summer break also provides valuable opportunities for social interaction and the development of important life skills. Team sports, for example, promote cooperation, communication, and teamwork, while also teaching children about discipline, dedication, and sportsmanship. Participating in physical activities with friends or family members helps build strong relationships and creates lasting memories.

Parents and caregivers play a crucial role in encouraging and facilitating kids’ fitness over the summer break. They can organize family outings to parks, beaches, or hiking trails, enroll children in summer camps or sports programs, or simply set aside dedicated time for outdoor play. By prioritizing physical activity and instilling healthy habits during this break, parents can set their children on a path towards a lifetime of fitness and well-being.

Kids’ fitness during the summer break is of utmost importance. It not only helps combat sedentary behavior but also promotes physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Encouraging children to stay active, engage in outdoor activities, and participate in sports not only benefits their health but also fosters important social and life skills. By prioritizing fitness during this break, parents and caregivers can empower children to lead active and healthy lives long after summer ends.

Here are 25 ideas, provided by the American Heart Association for getting kids to move more.

1. Run in place for 30 seconds

2. Dance party for one minute

3. Stand up and sit down 10 times

4. Read standing up

5. Hot lava! Keep a balloon in the air without touching the ground (make it harder by only using heads or elbows

6. Jumping Jacks

7. Do the hokey pokey

8. See how many squats you can do in 15 seconds

9. Stand up, touch your toes

10. Wall sit while reading

11. One-minute yoga

12. Stretch your hands high over your head

13. Arm circles forward for 30 seconds, arm circles backward for 30 seconds

14. 10 frog jumps

15. Standing mountain climbers for 30 seconds

16. Stand on one leg, put your hands up, put your hands out to the side

17. Five lunges on the right leg, five lunges on the left leg

18. Practice spelling, do a squat for every vowel

19. Run in place for 30 seconds, check your heart rate

20. Practice spelling by doing a jumping jack for each letter

21. 30-second plank

22. Practice math problems, do a jumping jack every time the answer is an even number

23. 20 leg lifts

24. Ball-toss spelling practice. Toss the ball and say a letter then toss the ball to someone else to say the next letter

25. High knees for 30 seconds

Mix and match some of these ideas for brief bursts of activity or by randomly selecting one from the list to complete each day.