Anna Maria RichardsIt’s such a pity that our kids have forgotten what it’s like to play outdoors. The rush you feel while running around the playground has almost been obsolete among the kids, especially during the pandemic. And the ironic part is, they have no fault in this.
Kids nowadays are addicted to mobile devices and screens which has been adversely impacting their health. Amid the current COVID-19 pandemic, 39 million youngsters below the age of 5 were suffering from obesity.
But as parents, it is your job to encourage them to play outdoors as this also contributes to a healthy body. We need to be more attentive to their needs and make the outdoor games look more fun and exciting than the virtual ones. And while you’re at it, here are some engaging recreational activities that you encourage your kids to do!
1. Musical Chairs
Musical chairs are one of those games that any age group can enjoy. Because of its evergreen fun and enjoyment, this game has been conquering our hearts forever now.
If you are looking forward to making your child more active, then this is a wonderful game to start with. It’s super fun, exciting, and helps your kid gain interest in physical games.
To play this game, arrange a bunch of chairs and instruct the kids to run around the chairs, with the music in the background. As soon as the music stops, the children should get seated in the nearest chair. Those who are left standing get eliminated from the game.
2. Pass the ball
Of course, you’ve heard about this iconic game: Pass The Ball. Here, you need to ask the children to sit in a circle and hand the ball to one of them. Play some music and instruct the kids to keep passing the ball to one another until the music stops.
When the music stops finally, the child with the ball in their hand has to do something as a penalty. You can also make use of custom stamps as labels, and keep them in a bowl. The child with the ball will now randomly pick up a stamp and needs to comply with whatever’s written on it.
3. Hiking
This is a great recreational activity that you can employ to get your kids out of the house. Exploring nature, in its all glory, can never be a bad thing, right? And, hiking not only enhances the body’s muscles of your child, but it also helps them build up strength and endurance.
It is also a great excuse to keep them off phone screens and monitors and encourage them to explore their surroundings. This activity will help your child build a very intimate bond with nature, and gradually, they will find mobiles and laptops less fun.
4. Swimming
Swimming is one of the best forms of exercise to ever exist. It is not only fun but it also keeps the body toned and in shape. In swimming, almost all the muscles of your body come into play, from the biceps to the lower limb calf muscles. As a result, it is very crucial for every individual to know how to swim, especially the kids.
Children love to be in the water, and this activity can turn out to be a great exercise for your little one. It also helps relax the body’s muscle fibers, while also adding a spirit of enjoyment and pleasure to this amazing activity. It’s an excellent recreational exercise for kids of all ages.
5. Dancing
If your child isn’t finding much interest in playing outdoors and other physical activities, don’t worry, because we still have one option left for you: Dancing. Most kids enjoy dancing and the fun that it brings along. And once your kid gets into the groove of it, trust me, they will forget their digital lives at home.
You can either enroll yourself and your kid on a parent-child dance class or you can just turn up the music at home and have your own dance party! Trust me, both of them can be great ideas to get your kid moving.
Over to you…
The above exercises and recreational activities not only focus on providing your kid(s) some movement and exercise but also boost their confidence and consciousness. This will also keep them healthy, both physically and mentally.
