Indoor Exercise for Children

Dancing, Obstacle Courses and Mall Walking

Feb 9, 2009 Barb Hacker

It can be difficult to ensure that children get enough exercise when they are stuck indoors during bad weather. Get your kids moving with these ideas.

The American Heart Association recommends that all children over the age of two participate in some form of moderate physical activity for at least 30 minutes every day. Most parents know that kids that get regular, physical activity are more likely to behave better and sleep better, as well as decrease their risk for obesity and heart disease.

This can be easy enough when the weather is agreeable and a family can exercise outside. But, how can a parent ensure that a child gets enough exercise when the weather is bad and he is stuck indoors?

A cold snap in the winter or a rainy spell in the summer can keep a family house bound for several days. Dance to some foot-stomping children’s music, create a challenging obstacle course and head to the mall for fun, indoor exercise time with your children.

Dance and March to Children’s Music

Modern children’s music is great for getting the whole family moving together. Look in your local library for music CDs by artists like Jim Gill or Laurie Berkner. Both artists have fun, fast-paced songs that direct listeners to stomp, dance, spin and be active. Try the following titles.

• Rocketship Run by Laurie Berkner [Two Tomatoes Records, LLC, August 2008]
• Jim Gill Sings Do Re Me on His Toe Leg Knee [Jim Gill Music Inc, 1999]

Create an Obstacle Course

Gather pillows, couch cushions, brooms and chairs to create an indoor obstacle course. Use your imagination to turn everyday objects into exciting obstacles. Pillows can be lily pads to jump on, cushions can be alligators to leap over and tables can be tunnels to crawl under. The variations are endless. Pretend to be different animals going through the obstacle course. A frog would hop the whole thing, a turtle would go very slowly and a snake would slither.

Walk at the Mall

If it’s too cold for outdoor time, but you’re not snowed in, load up the car and take the kids to the mall. Park at one end and walk laps around the interior. If you have very young children, bring a stroller so they can rest when they get tired. But, don’t forget the object is to be sure the kids are getting enough exercise, so encourage them to get up and walk with you.

Don’t let bad weather keep you and your children from exercising every day. Take a walk at the local mall, dance to upbeat children’s music and create an indoor obstacle course.

Sources:

American Heart Association website, Exercise (Physical Activity) and Children, accessed February 7, 2009.

Berkner, Laurie. Rocketship Run. New York, NY: Two Tomatoes Records, August 2008.

Gill, Jim. Jim Gill Sings Do Re Me on His Toe Leg Knee. Oak Park, IL: Jim Gill Music Inc, 1999.

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