Play Time

Here are some fun activities for your child which are also great ways to exercise. Whether your child is by himself, with a friend, or with a group of friends, there are always ways to have fun and to be active!

When your child is by himself:

• Practice hopscotch
• See how long that she or he can hop on one foot
• Do jumping jacks
• Invent dance moves
• Do sprints and have he or she time him or herself
  

When there are two:

• Have a handstand contest
• Invent dances to favorite songs
• Jump rope together
• Ride bikes
• Practice pitching and hitting a baseball

When there is a group:

• Have a skateboarding contest
• Play tag
• Play outdoor hide-and-seek
• Dance to music

When it is cold outside:

• Play tag in the snow
• Take a nature hike and look for animal footprints
• Go sledding
• Make snow angels

When it is hot outside:

• Go swimming
• Have a water balloon toss
• Take a nature walk on a shady trail
• Wash your dog outside
• Wash cars
• Turn on sprinklers and let them run around

For a more detailed list check out kidshealth.org.

These lists are very short, but hopefully it sparked some creativity and now you will be able to come up with even better ideas of activities for your child.

Don't forget to get out and play with them!