Fitness Fun at Home
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Get Off The Couch
Summer Fitness Fun for Kids : Compiled by Sue Davies, Resource Connection for
Kids

•        Body Parts Game- First, place one felt square in front of each child on the
floor. Then announce a body part for the children to place on their felt sheet (knee,
elbow, nose, etc.) This game enhances body awareness.
•        The Penguin Game - Children need one sponge ball each. The teacher asks
children to place the sponge ball between their legs and move like a penguin
around the room.
•        Hop-Scotch - Use your duck tape to easily create hopscotch lines on the
carpet.
•        Balance Beam - Place a big strip of duck tape on the carpet for children to
follow. Create lines, zigzags, shapes, letters, or numbers.
•        Long-jump - Just mark the starting line with duck tape and let the children
jump as far as they can. They’ll do this simple activity again and again.  
•        Cut-outs - Cut pieces of felt into different shapes that are big enough for
children to stand or sit on. Turn on the music and let children play games created
from their own imaginations.
•        Shake, Punch and Roll - For locomotion, stability, and rhythm
The movements for this workout are shaking (a leg, one arm, two arms, or your
head), punching arms alternately forward (vigorously extend and bend arms with
fists held the whole time), and rolling (lay on the ground or floor, roll from back to
stomach and back).
Do each movement at least eight times to the music (for 8-16 counts depending on
the music).  For younger children repeat each movement more times, for older
children change the type of movement more often.  Running in place can be
inserted between shakes, punches and rolls.  Select music the children enjoy.




•        Turtle and Rabbit - For rhythm, stability
Explain that turtles move slowly and rabbits move very fast.  Ask the children to
move slow.  Once they can demonstrate slow, ask them to demonstrate fast.
To play the game you will call out “turtle” or “rabbit.”  When you say “turtle” the
children move slowly and continuously until you say “rabbit.”  When you say
“rabbit” the children move fast until you say “turtle.”  Repeat alternating “rabbit” and
“turtle.” Focus the children on listening and following directions. The point of the
game is for the children to move all the time (either fast or slow).

•        Circus Elephants - For stability
Present and demonstrate the following balance challenges. Balance on:
1.        One foot: The other foot
2.        One hand and one foot: Two hands and one foot
3.        Switch to the other food and two hands: Head and two feet
4.        Elbow and one foot: Knees (no feet!)
5.        One knee: Seat (bottom)

        Moving to Music - For rhythm, stability
Describe sharp movements as a way to move the body to make lines, corners, and
angles.  Demonstrate by making your arms straight then angled by rapidly and
forcefully bending your elbows.  Ask the children to move arms, then ankles, waist,
and hands in sharp movements.

Describe smooth movements as a way to move that has circles, turns, and does
not stop.  Demonstrate by swinging your arms in circles.  Ask the children to move
their arms in smooth movements.  Ask the children to move their whole body in
smooth movements as you demonstrate turning, bending, swaying--all smoothly.  
Turn on music and ask the children to move to the music.  Remind the children to
move using smooth or sharp movements.

        Jump the River
Lay a jump rope in a straight line on the floor - or draw a line on the ground with
chalk.
 Ask your child to pretend the line is a river.
Challenge him to jump from one side of the river to the other.
Be sure your child is landing with knees bent and heels coming all the way down to
the floor.
When he's ready, you can "widen the river" by using two ropes, side by side, or a
towel
Neighborhood Olympics
Hold your own neighborhood Olympics and beat the boredom of hot afternoons.  
Involve everyone in running races, swimming triathlons, egg toss and watermelon
pit spitting.

Obstacle Course
Set up an obstacle course in the yard or at the playground using a variety of
things, such as jump ropes, balls, and cones.  Set things around the yard to jump
over, run around, and crawl through.


*  For some fun fitness games for kids to try go to www.pecentral.com and click
on    
lesson ideas and then list all for ideas for lots of games.


Remember:
•        Be a role model. Be physically active yourself and, when feasible, include
kids in your activities.
•        Plan fun family activities. Involve the kids in planning hikes, bike rides,
bowling or an action-packed day at the park.
•        Urge kids to team up with their friends. It's more fun to walk, jog or take a
class with others.