5 Fun Ways to Keep Your Kids Active this Summer

Physical activities are an important part of children’s development. Children need to engage in activities that keep them physically active every day because exercise helps them improve coordination, flexibility, balance, and, in general, their gross motor skills, among many other benefits.

How much physical activity is recommended for kids?
The World Health Organization recommends “at least an average of 60 minutes per day of moderate-to-vigorous intensity, mostly aerobic, physical activity, across the week at least one hour of moderate physical exercise per day” for children between 5 and 17 years old.

For children under this age group, it is recommended that they be physically active for at least 3 hours a day. At this age, it’s more important the type of physical activity than the intensity of it; good activities include walking, cycling, or swimming.

Due to being locked down in our homes to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, such activities were impossible for a long time. However, after the world opened up again, it allowed more outdoor activities, and you can enjoy them once again.

How Our Little Roses keeps girls active
Most children are naturally active; still, including dedicated time in their routines to do some form of physical exercise is important to help their healthy development. There are many activities kids can do that are fun to do alone or with company to stay active; at Our Little Roses, we also love to do a lot of games and activities to keep our girls active and happy, which improves their physical and emotional health.

The girls in our San Pedro Sula home stay fit while learning teamwork and cooperation through organized sports such as soccer, yoga, Zumba, and more.

Five games and ideas to keep kids active
Playing is the best tool for children to learn in many ways and do some physical exercise without them even realizing it. That’s why we’ve put together ten games and ideas to keep toddlers active at home.

Whether you’re indoors or outside enjoying the summer, there are many fun activities to keep kids active during these months. Here’s a list of some of our favorite ones:

Dancing
Dancing is a fantastic way to engage children in indoor activities and burn off extra energy. With the help of music, kids can groove to upbeat tunes and have a blast at dance parties right in the comfort of their own homes. Platforms like YouTube offer a wide range of options, from choreographed children’s songs to Zumba classes, ensuring that kids of all ages can find something they enjoy.

Music serves as the perfect ally to inspire children to move and let loose. The rhythmic beats and catchy melodies create an irresistible urge to dance, making it an enjoyable experience for kids. Dancing not only provides entertainment but also offers numerous physical and cognitive benefits. It helps improve coordination, balance, and flexibility while enhancing cognitive skills such as memory and creativity.

One popular game that can be incorporated into dance sessions is freeze dance. Kids can dance freely to the music, but when it suddenly stops, they have to freeze in their current position. This game adds an element of excitement and challenge, encouraging children to be alert and quick on their feet.

Dance parties at home are a great way for kids to express themselves, boost their confidence, and strengthen social bonds. Siblings, friends, or even parents can join in on the fun, creating a lively atmosphere filled with laughter and joy. Dance parties can be held spontaneously or as planned events, allowing kids to showcase their favorite dance moves or learn new ones together.

Engaging in regular dance activities not only helps kids expend their excess energy but also promotes a healthy and active lifestyle. It encourages them to develop a positive relationship with physical activity from a young age, setting the foundation for a lifetime of fitness. So, put on some music, clear some space, and let the dance floor come alive with the infectious energy and enthusiasm of children grooving to the rhythm.

Dancing is one of our favorite activities at OLR, and we have teamed up with teachers to include dance in our extracurricular activities for the girls.   The teachers and Tias who care for the girls at Our Little Roses are instrumental in teaching traditional dance with all of our girls.  Every summer, our mission teams who visit from the U.S. and other countries, also share new and exciting dances and games. Other girls attend a local dance studio where they are learning jazz, tap, and modern dance.

Yoga for kids
Yoga is a wonderful activity that introduces children to their bodies, helps them develop body control, and even introduces them to the concept of meditation in a playful manner. While it may seem daunting to teach kids yoga, there are numerous videos available that make it a fun and engaging exercise for children of all ages.

Yoga can be enjoyed both indoors and outdoors, offering flexibility in choosing the ideal environment based on the child’s preference and the weather. Indoor yoga sessions provide a calm and serene atmosphere, allowing children to focus on their movements and breathing. On the other hand, outdoor yoga provides a refreshing change of scenery and the opportunity to connect with nature while practicing poses and stretches.

Engaging in yoga has a multitude of benefits for kids. It helps improve flexibility, strength, and balance while promoting proper posture and body awareness. Additionally, yoga can be a physical game, incorporating fun challenges and creative movements that keep children excited and entertained. Yoga poses can be modified to suit different skill levels and to accommodate children with varying energy levels.

One of the greatest advantages of yoga is that it introduces children to the practice of meditation. It teaches them to focus their minds, be present in the moment, and develop a sense of inner calm and tranquility. Learning these techniques at a young age can provide children with valuable tools for managing stress, emotions, and improving concentration.

Whether practiced indoors or outdoors, yoga for kids is an excellent way to channel their boundless energy into a productive and enjoyable activity. With tons of fun videos and tutorials available, children can follow along and participate in a variety of yoga sessions that cater to their interests and abilities. So, gather the mats, find a peaceful space, and let the kids dive into a world of physical and mental exploration through the joys of yoga.

Imitate the card 
One of the simplest yet most engaging games for kids is a card-based activity that involves performing gestures or actions indicated on the cards. This favorite game is easy to set up and provides endless entertainment for children.

To play, a set of cards is prepared with various actions written on them. These actions can include jumping five times, clapping ten times, spinning around three times, jumping inside or outside a circle, imitating animals like a penguin, and many more. The cards are placed in the center, and participants take turns picking them up one by one and performing the corresponding action.

The beauty of this game lies in its simplicity. Children of all ages can participate and have fun, as the actions can be adjusted based on their abilities and energy levels. It promotes physical activity and helps children develop coordination, balance, and motor skills. Moreover, it encourages creativity as kids can add their own actions or variations to the game.

To add an extra level of excitement, the game can be turned into a challenge by dividing participants into teams. Each team tries to complete a specific number of cards in the shortest amount of time. This fosters teamwork, communication, and healthy competition among the kids. It also adds a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction when the teams complete their tasks.

This simple game is an ideal choice for both indoor and outdoor activities. It requires minimal preparation and materials, making it convenient to organize and play anywhere. Whether it’s a birthday party, a playdate, or a family gathering, this engaging game is sure to keep the kids entertained and active.

The game of ropes 
The game of ropes, or ribbons, strings, exercise bands, or any other flexible material, is a delightful and silly indoor game that guarantees lots of laughter and entertainment. The objective of the game is to place a series of these materials from one wall to another, securing them with thumbtacks or adhesive tape, and challenge participants to pass through without touching or breaking any of the ropes.

This game is a personal favorite for many due to its simplicity and hilarious nature. It requires minimal setup, using common household items, and can be played in any spacious room or hallway. Participants must navigate their way through the crisscrossed maze of ropes, testing their agility, coordination, and problem-solving skills.

The beauty of this game lies in its versatility. The choice of materials used for the ropes can be customized according to the available resources, making it a flexible and adaptable game. Whether it’s colorful ribbons, stretchy exercise bands, or even mismatched socks, the aim is to create a visually captivating and challenging obstacle course.

The game of ropes can be played individually or in teams, adding an extra element of competition and cooperation. Players can time themselves or compete against each other to see who can complete the course in the shortest time or with the fewest mistakes. It encourages friendly rivalry, camaraderie, and the development of strategic thinking.

Aside from the sheer fun and laughter it brings, this game also offers various benefits. It promotes physical activity, as players have to move, duck, and twist their bodies to avoid the ropes. It enhances motor skills, balance, and spatial awareness. Additionally, the game stimulates problem-solving abilities as players assess the best path to take through the tangle of ropes.

Volleyballoon
The classic game of balloon pass is a delightful activity that not only brings joy and laughter but also encourages physical movement in small children. This game involves passing an inflated balloon between two or more people or teams while trying to prevent it from falling to the ground.

The simple act of using a balloon as an incentive makes this game appealing to kids. The vibrant colors and the lightness of the balloon add an element of excitement and playfulness. Children are naturally drawn to its floating nature, making them eager to participate and engage in the game.

Playing balloon passes is a fantastic way to promote physical activity in kids. As they pass the balloon back and forth, they have to move, stretch, and coordinate their actions to keep the balloon afloat. This helps improve their hand-eye coordination, motor skills, and balance. Additionally, the game provides a fun and energetic outlet for their excess energy, making it an ideal choice for active play.

The game can be played individually, where the child tries to keep the balloon in the air by themselves, or in teams, where multiple players work together to pass the balloon without letting it touch the ground. Playing in teams adds an element of cooperation and teamwork, fostering social interaction and communication skills among the children.

Furthermore, the game of balloon pass can be customized to suit different age groups and skill levels. For younger children, the distance between players can be shorter, ensuring they can successfully pass the balloon. As they grow older and more confident, the distance can be increased, adding a level of challenge to the game.

The benefits of physical activity
Physical activity is not only fun but also incredibly beneficial for children. Engaging in activities that get their hearts pumping, blood flowing, and lungs working can have a positive impact on their overall health and well-being.

Regular physical activity helps children develop and maintain healthy bones, muscles, and joints. It contributes to a healthy body mass index, reducing the risk of obesity and related health issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart problems. Additionally, physical activity plays a role in improving sleep patterns, helping children fall asleep faster and enjoy better quality sleep.

Beyond the physical benefits, being active has significant mental health benefits for children. It boosts their mood, enthusiasm, and optimism, while reducing anxiety, tension, and stress. Physical activity has been shown to improve attention span, focus, and behavior, leading to better academic performance and success in school. It also helps build confidence, as children develop and enhance their physical skills, whether it’s through jumping jacks, running, or participating in a variety of games and sports.

Participating in physical activities, especially in organized sports, fosters teamwork and encourages the development of friendships and positive relationships with others. Through teamwork, children learn cooperation, communication, and problem-solving skills, which are valuable life lessons that extend beyond the sports field.

The key to promoting physical activity for children is to make it enjoyable. Fun games, such as tag, hide-and-seek, and relay races, provide an entertaining and engaging way for kids to stay active. Incorporating a variety of games and activities ensures that children can explore different movements and find what they enjoy the most, keeping them motivated and interested.

Physical activity is essential for children’s overall well-being. It contributes to their physical health, mental well-being, academic success, and social development. By providing a variety of fun and engaging games and activities, we can inspire children to stay active and reap the numerous benefits that physical activity has to offer.