79 Ways For Kids To Exercise - Indoors Or Out
By Bev Grey
Does your child spend far too much of his or her free time watching TV or playing video games? Experts advise that two hours of TV or video games a day should be the limit to better assure kids will be healthy, strong and creative. Here is a quick reference list of some easy and fun exercise ideas to help children get active (often without even knowing they are exercising!):
1. Walk your dog
2. Walk your neighbor’s dog (with permission from your parents and your neighbor, of course)
3. Fly a kite
4. Toss a Frisbee
5. Ask your parents or grandparents to take you to a state park or other area where you can take a nature hike. Look for unusual plants, insects or wildlife and take samples or pictures for your science class or show and tell
6. Ride your bike
7. Skate
8. If you have a yard, pick up sticks or trash
9. Pull weeds
10.Rake the yard or garden
11.Play tag 12.Play hopscotch
13.Have a hula hoop contest, and see who can keep the hoop up the longest
14.Learn to juggle
15.Jump rope (boxers do it, and look how strong & healthy they are!)
16.Visit the zoo, amusement park or museum (lots of walking)
17.Wash the car
18.Have every family member wear a pedometer, and have a daily challenge to see who can take the most steps. Losers do winner’s chores the next day!
19.Shoot hoops
20.Play soccer
21.Play softball
22.Play badminton
23.Have a water balloon fight
24.Put on your bathing suit and run through the sprinkler
25.Go swimming (never without an adult to supervise!)
26.Give the dog a bath. The bigger the dog, the more exercise you'll get!
27.Sign up for a charity walk-a-thon with your parent, grandparent, or other relative. You’ll help raise money for a good cause and get in shape at the same time. If your town doesn’t have a walk-a-thon, start one for your favorite charity
28.Do jumping jacks
29.Do push-ups
30.Put on an exercise video and get a good workout
31.Do sit-ups
32.Learn to play golf, or caddy for someone else
33.Play tennis
34.Play miniature golf
35.Go bowling
36.Learn to twirl a baton
37.Take a class in martial arts and learn to defend yourself
38.Build a fort and play cowboys and Indians
39.If you have a two-story home or a home with a basement, carry out-of-place items up or down stairs, one item at a time
40.Run the vacuum
41.Wash windows
42.Clean your room
43.Ride your skateboard
44.Learn yoga, either at a class or from a video
45.Race-walk
46.Have relay races with your friends or family
47.Play touch football
48.Learn ballroom dancing
49.Learn hip-hop dancing
50.Take classes in ballet, jazz or tap dancing
51.Join a clogging or Irish step-dancing club
52.Learn to play an instrument and join the marching band
53.Join a gym or work with a private fitness trainer
54.Practice turning cartwheels in the yard
55.Walk on the beach and collect shells
56.Set up an obstacle course in your back yard, and practice going faster and faster through it
57.Have a tug of war
58.Get several parents & kids together and have one-legged sack races
59.Learn to water ski (again, make sure you have adult supervision at all times!)
60.Learn to surf (same as number 59)
61.Play hockey
62.Climb the monkey bars or a climbing wall
63.Go horseback riding
64.Learn gymnastics
65.Play volleyball
66.Play table tennis
67.Use normal household items and form a rhythm band. March around the house or neighborhood playing your instruments
68.Pull your little brother or sister around the yard in a wagon
69.Play croquet
70.Have a long-jumping contest with your friends, and see who can jump the farthest
71.In the winter, you can ice skate;
72.Ski- - either downhill or cross-country
73.Build a snowman
74.Build a snow fort and have a snowball fight
75.Go sledding
76.Shovel snow off your sidewalk or driveway
77.Take your dog outside and play fetch in the snow. Most dogs love snow!
78.Take a walk in the snow, then try to step in your own tracks all the way back
79.Shovel snow off someone else’s walk, either as a favor or to earn money
What are you waiting for? Get those kids moving!
Bev Grey is founder and president of Grandma's Healthy Kids Club, Inc., an in-home program to help children lose weight safely or just improve their eating and exercise habits. She is also author of "The Project", a children's book depicting a young boy's struggle with weight and everything that goes along with it. Grandma's Healthy Kids Club memberships and The Project can be purchased online at www.HealthyKidsCatalog.com.
