Fun Rainy Day Fitness Game and Activities for Kids
When it comes to being physically active, the options are endless. However, sometimes when it’s rainy or too cold outside, we might need to exercise our creativity as well as our bodies in order to get kids moving. Here are eleven ideas for rainy day fitness, including an original indoor fitness game called The Great Race.
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Fitness for Kids
Kids should be running around, playing, and getting exercise every day. Some of the countless benefits of exercise can include a healthier heart, increased concentration, hormonal balance and emotional uplift, and even better sleep habits. Being physically active also balances the time kids may be tempted to play with technology. Plus, it’s a great source of fun. In general, both parents and kids are happier when those Littles get plenty of opportunity to run around.
Some kids don’t naturally gravitate toward being active. They may prefer more sedentary activities such as reading or other games. However, it’s just as important for these kids to move their bodies regularly. If you have a child who doesn’t love exercise, here are three quick tips.
Three Tips for your Child who Doesn’t Prefer Exercise
1. Encourage a Variety of Fitness Activities
Mix things up so it doesn’t continually feel like drudgery. You may go to the park one day, do traditional exercises like push-ups and squats another day, and go on a family walk or hike on the weekend. Try team sports, recreational games, and solitary activities as well.
2. Incorporate Balance and Choice
Whether it’s a summer system, daily occurrence, or something you occasionally require, teach your kids balance in life. We don’t all need to be fitness addicts, but we can still make healthy choices. Regularly give choice as to what kind of exercise they do, not if they do it. For example, you might say on a Saturday, “After you have done some kind of exercise for twenty minutes, you can have ten minutes of screen time.” Encourage your Littles to experiment and find activities they enjoy. Encourage their passions.
3. Exercise Together
Truthfully, nothing gets kids moving more than seeing Mom and Dad doing it too. Set personal fitness goals and follow-through with them. Prepare for a 5K as a family or habitually go for a walk after dinner. Make exercise and an active lifestyle vibrant parts of your family culture.
Cold or Rainy Day Fitness
When it comes to being physically active, the options are endless. However, sometimes when it’s rainy or too cold outside, we might need to exercise our creativity as well as our bodies in order to get kids moving. Here are eleven ideas to get your creative juices flowing.
1. Brave the elements.
This is actually a great first option. Run around in the rain and stomp in puddles. Put on your snow gear and build a snowman. Sometimes this takes a little more effort on our part as parents as it requires more laundry or the hassle with gear. However, I have always found the effort to be worth the fun. We have lived in both Chicago and Buffalo, so I get it…no excuses. And remember, getting a little cold doesn’t actually make you sick.
2. Set up your own gym.
One day my kids did this without me knowing it. They put the names of various exercises on pieces of paper around the basement. We set the timer and moved to the next exercise station every 30 seconds.
3. Play Duck-Duck-Goose, Ring Around the Rosie, or other simple moving games.
These games are ideal for younger Littles.
4. Have a dance party.
Crank up the tunes, and find your groove.
5. Invest in some indoor exercise equipment.
Examples would include a small indoor trampoline
6. Do an exercise video.
YouTube is loaded with free ones. Here is one my kids like. GoNoodle also has a lot of fun movement activities my kids enjoy.
7. Find an indoor or covered gym or fitness facility.
School, community centers, and even malls often have free access to these at particular times or always. Bring balls, roller blades, or bikes.
8. Do The Chicken Fat Song.
The Chicken Fat song is a little gem from the 60’s. It is sure to get you moving and smiling.
9. Let them loose in a safe-zone. Create an obstacle course.
Make at least one area of your home really kid-movement friendly, like a basement or playroom. Put an indoor basketball hoop
10. Visit a bounce house, trampoline zone, or climbing wall.
For more budget-friendly outings, look for deals on Groupon or give passes for birthdays or as other gifts.
11. Play The Great Race!
This simple game teaches the basics of exercise and gets the players moving.
The Great Race: An Indoor Fitness Game for Kids
A few years ago, one of my kids requested an exercise themed birthday party, not sports, exercise. This wasn’t your average Marvel or princess party. Additionally, it was fall, so I couldn’t plan on the weather outside cooperating. It was time for me to get creative.
As part of the festivities, I came up with a simple, interactive board game, The Great Race. The kids ended up loving it. It turned out to be a fun way to learn about and practice fitness.
Preparation
I made a game board out of a large poster. (Incidentally, I have used that poster countless times since for piano lessons, home preschool activities, family games, and more.) The game board had a simple path divided into spaces with Start and Finish. I also drew stars on sporadic spaces. I prepared three sets of cards: Physical Challenge (exercise tasks), Mental Challenge (questions about exercise and fitness), and Surprise (random events that may occur during a race). After finding a die and two markers from a different game, we were ready to go!
How to Play
At the party, we divided the kids into two teams. On their turns, the teams chose whether they wanted a physical or mental challenge. After completing the task or answering the question as a team, they rolled the die. They moved the corresponding number of spaces. If they landed on a space with a star on it, they picked a surprise card and followed the directions on the card. The first team to reach Finish won the game.
The kids really enjoyed the variety of activities and simple concept. While it provided a good time at the exercise birthday party, the game is also fun to play over and over again. It is perfect for a rainy day fitness activity.
You can make your own game or download the game we used for free.
I hope The Great Race and these other ideas are helpful for you as you find ways for your kids to release energy and stay fit, even during the cold and rain. Join in with your kiddos and have a great time!
What other rainy day fitness activities do your kids enjoy? Share in the comments!
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*The Great Race and information in this post are intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. Exercise has inherent risk. Before starting any new diet or exercise, please check with your healthcare provider. Lovin’ Life with Littles disclaims any liability from and in connection with this game and post. As always, if exercises are too strenuous, stop and check-in with a healthcare provider.
Great ideas. Definitely using that game sometime! Another helpful way to stay active, though not inexpensive, is getting a dog that needs daily exercise.
Didn’t think of a dog but too true!!