As a nanny, incorporating exercise and physical activity into a child’s routine is crucial for their overall health and well-being. There are a variety of exercises and fun games that can be done with kids to help keep them active and engaged. One type of exercise that is great for kids is aerobic exercise. This can include activities such as jumping jacks, dancing, or even playing tag. These exercises can help improve a child’s cardiovascular health, stamina, and endurance.
Strength training is another type of exercise that can be beneficial for kids. While it may sound intense, strength training for kids can involve simple exercises such as push-ups, squats, and lunges using their own body weight. These types of exercises can help build muscle strength, improve bone density, and increase flexibility. Additionally, they can help reduce the risk of injury during physical activity and sports.
Finally, games that involve gross motor skills and coordination can also be a great way for kids to stay active. These can include activities such as obstacle courses, relay races, or playing catch. These games help kids develop hand-eye coordination, balance, and agility while having fun and staying active. By incorporating a variety of exercises and games into a child’s routine, a nanny can help ensure that the child is getting the physical activity they need to stay healthy and active.
How Much Exercise Do Kids Need?
To promote optimal physical health, school-age children and teenagers between 6 to 17 years old should engage in at least an hour of physical activity daily that ranges from moderate to vigorous intensity.
It is crucial that they include activities that help build muscle and bone strength for at least three days each week. Encouraging physical activity at a young age can instill healthy habits that can be carried into adulthood.
For preschoolers, active play is essential for their physicl development. There isn’t a specific timeframe, but a reasonable goal is to have them engage in three hours of activities daily that include light, moderate, and vigorous movements.
This can include both adult-led activities as well as unstructured play, which allows children to use their imagination and creativity while staying active. By encouraging physical activity, children can develop gross and fine motor skills, and overall, support their physical and mental health.
The Best Fun Exericses for kids
Running
Children can run quite a bit, but proper running technique is crucial to avoid injury. Teaching children the correct form can be challenging, so consider doing it in a group setting. Organizing friendly competitions with your child’s friends can make it more enjoyable and motivate them to improve their running skills.
Skipping / Jumping rope
Skipping is an excellent activity for children that can be done alone or with others. It helps build stamina, strengthens the legs and core, and improves coordination. Using a skipping rope is affordable and accessible, and you can increase the difficulty as your child gets better for greater benefits. It is a great kids exercise.
Fast Feet
Fast feet is a low-impact exercise that’s perfect for a kid’s workout at home. Similar to running in place, fast feet involves lifting the feet just a few inches off the ground. It’s an excellent way to develop agility, coordination, and endurance in children and can be done anywhere with no equipment necessary. Its perfect to get the kids moving.
Jumping
Jumping is a fun and exciting exercise that children love. Trampolines are an excellent investment for home use, offering a safe and enjoyable way for kids to jump and exercise. If trampolines aren’t an option, consider setting up a ball pool or other fun jumping activities to get your child moving and active.
Squats
Squats are an excellent exercise for kids that can improve their lower body strength, including the legs, buttocks, and core muscles. They’re easy to do and can be incorporated into a daily workout routine for maximum benefits. Doing squats with your child can make it a fun and engaging activity that encourages them to participate more actively.
Fun Exercises for Kids at Home
Bubble Bashing
Blow bubbles and let your child try to pop them.
Parachute
This kiddie-gym standby can be recreated at home with sheets. Each person takes an end of the parachute or sheet and fans it upward while the kids take turns running underneath.
Bubble-Wrap Attack
If you get bubble wrap in the mail, jump on it until it’s all popped.
Scavenger Hunt
Hide tennis balls around the house and write different exercises on paper. Each ball should have a different exercise written on it, such as jumping jacks or pushups.
Once the child finds a ball, they must complete the exercise before bringing it back to the “home base” location, which could be anywhere you choose. To add more excitement, set a timer for five minutes, and challenge the child to find all five tennis balls and bring them back to the home base before time runs out.
This activity is a great way to get children moving and engaged in physical activity.
Hopscotch
All you need is a rock, some tape to mark out your sqaures, and you have an old-fashioned game of hopscotch on your floor.
Monkey In The Middle
This is one of the oldest and one of the most fun ball games for kids. It can be played with 3 and more players. One player stands in the middle while the other two play catch and throw with the ball. The player in the middle has to catch the ball somehow, and once that’s done, they get to play catch and throw while another player comes in the middle.
