With working from home, home education, and safety issues at the forefront of parents’ minds during COVID-19 rules, they should be forgiven for putting their children’s fitness needs on the back burner. But if you have active children, you can’t neglect them for a long time. When children are used to physical activity, they can feel co-opted, reflecting their actions, mood, appetite, and quality of sleep. Besides, exercise helps to reduce the tension that everyone experiences these days.
Children of all ages require physical exercise, but social gaps and school closures have had an especially significant effect on children who rely on formal, group sports activities. And how can the normally healthy kids be happy at this tough time when they can’t let go of steam during their daily football game, dance lessons, or other team sports?
Of course, a lot depends on the room you have at home, the age of your children, and how stringent your local quarantine measures are. Still, here are some suggestions that cover all of the bases. When mixed up and distributed over time, these activities will help children remain involved and healthy between home school lessons and low-energy activities such as reading, listening to music, and watching TV.
Host the dance party in the living room
Host a Dance Party
Though older kids are likely to look at you sideways if you’re recommending this one, it’s perfect for little kids. Not only do preschoolers have no inhibitions when it comes to dancing, but they’re also not going to mind your lazy mom or dad’s movements, either. Put some of your favorite music in the living room. You’re both going to have a laugh as well as a mini-workout.
Online workouts
Online workouts
The internet is an endless source of information and entertainment, and no matter what kind of online workout your kids may want, you’re likely to be able to find it. While some parents are justifiably hesitant to let their children spend too long sitting in front of the computer, working out in front of the computer is another ball game. Get fun dance lessons, Pilates, HIIT exercise, retro-style aerobics, and more. It may not be the ideal way for kids to practice their backhand, but they’re going to invest some time.
Yoga
Yoga
Children of any age will enjoy a yoga session, and there are hundreds of tutorial videos available online for various ages and abilities to try. It doesn’t matter if you or your kids are flexible though younger kids seem to be super bendy without trying. And if you’re pretty stiff, a methodical yoga practice will help you calm your mind and body. Add the mornings or evening yoga session.
Jumping Rope
Jumping Rope
If you don’t live in a very small area, jump rope is a perfect way to get the heart rate up in a very short time. Give children play with each other, count the leaps, or look up some typical jump-rope songs and acts to keep things interesting.
Cleaning
Cleaning
This has to be done anyway, so why don’t you recruit the kids to help? Older children are less likely to be enthused, but it doesn’t take a lot of convincing to get a younger child excited about vacuuming, washing windows, or sweeping — although you might need to do their homework again if cleanliness is your target. It may also be a good time to tackle a larger and more ambitious project, such as washing the exterior of the house, clearing the closets, or shifting furniture around. You can be shocked by how much exercise these tasks can do.
Gardening
Gardening
If you have a lawn, it’s a perfect time to get kids of all ages involved in planting and digging. Gardening can be physically gentle, but it can also be a good exercise if it requires a lot of digging or carrying.
These few ideas will help your kids to be active always. Share your tips in the comment section and let us know how you keep your super active kids busy.