Summer “Kid” Fun Fitness
Hey, Summer is coming and your kids need to keep active during the summer. I just thought I’d throw out some ideas to help you get started.
- There is always the good old stand by “the classic water fight”, getting mom or dad into the action is always a family favorite that keeps everybody moving. Try adding water balloons to this classic game and you will have your kids running all afternoon.
- “Water Tag”: What I do is use just one smaller bucket and the hose. You play this just like regular tag but you throw the bucket of water at your victim (friend or family member) instead of touching them. The cold water not only keeps your kids cool but keeps them running to stay dry. You get the added benefit of watering the lawn.
Let’s look at a couple of drier games if you are not in the getting wet part of your summer (or day)
- “This Way and That”:
You can sing this to the tune of “Did you ever see a Lassie” or “The More We Get Together” you can look them up online if you don’t know the tune. Do all the actions as they are described in the Song. Falling down in this game may be the best part. The little kids just get the giggles every time they fall down so it starts a giggle fest.
Did you ever hop on one foot, on one foot, on one foot?
Did you ever hop on one foot, going this way and that?
Did you ever jump on two feet, …
Did you ever skip in circles, …
Did you ever lift your arms up,…
Did you ever walk on tiptoe, …
Did you ever crawl back and forth, …
Did you ever stand on one foot, …
Let your kids make up more actions as you go along, this can keep them busy all afternoon long. (OK, I’m not a poet what can I say!)
- The Classic “Rowing Song”:
Perform the actions described in each verse as you sing this song with your child. Add verses as you think of other ways to move.
Row, row, row your boat
Gently down the stream.
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily
Life is but a dream.
Drive, drive, drive your gar quickly down the street …
Ride, ride, ride your horse up and down the trail …
Pedal, pedal, pedal your bike all around the town …
Fly, fly, fly your plain way above the clouds …
With older children, you can get this going in a-round and it starts getting really funny and exciting as they compete with each other.
- “Hear My Fist”:
As you say the verses with your child, do the actions described. Begin this rhyme while standing up.
Hear my fist go thump, thump, thump
On my wide palm there.
Hear my hands go clap, clap, clap
High up in the air
Stretch my arms out to the side
As I spin around.
Now my hands reach down, down, down,
Till they touch the ground
Quickly now I sit right down;
Pull my legs up tight
Now I stretch them out so far,
Stretch with all my might
See my arms go up, up, up
Stretching up so high
See my hands come slowly down
In my lap to lie.
- “Nod Yor Head”:
As you say this with your child, perform the actions described.
Nod your head, bend your knees,
Grow as tall as big oak trees.
On your knees, slowly fall,
Curl yourself into a ball.
Raise your head, jump up high,
Wave your hands, and say, “Goodbye!”
Just like in the others use your imagination and your children’s imagination to take this to another level of fun!
- “My Shadow”:
A nighttime game with a flashlight or lamp. Dim the lights in the room and shine the flashlight or lamp on the wall. Say this rhyme and have your children perform the actions described in front of the light to cast a shadow on the wall. Have fun making up new verses and actions.
I nod my head; he nods his head.
I skip and he skips, too.
I clap my hands; he claps his hands.
he does just what I do.
I hop three times; he hops three times.
I jump and he jumps, too.
I climb upstairs; he climbs upstairs.
We blow a kiss to you.
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