Dance Party!
Painter’s Tape Craziness
- Four Square
- Hopscotch
- Create a Floor Maze
I’m sure you don’t want a large playground sized rubber ball bouncing everywhere, so use a regular balloon. It’ll bounce just as well, but won’t have the same damaging effect, hopefully.
Indoor Obstacle Course
If your kids love to build forts, this is going to be even better. Break out some couch cushions, streamers if you happen to have them, or twine string, and some construction paper. I can see you’re puzzled about the construction paper. I’ll explain it shortly, I promise.
The Set Up:
- Use the couch cushions to set up “tunnels” to crawl through.
- Take the streamers or string to create the web obstacle, that challenges them to go over, under and sideways.
- This last section is where the construction paper comes in. Usually, in a normal obstacle course, you’d see tires to run through. In this case, it’s the “color run.” They’ll pick a color prior to starting the course, once they reach this section they need to pick up all the colors that belong to them. So make them work and have fun when you scatter those construction paper sheets. [Note: I initially tried to have them run over them, but they would slip & slide because there was no way to make them stick properly.]
Grab your camera, because it’s going to be funny!
Classics that Gets Them Moving
There are so many classic games and activities that will get the whole family moving. What’s funny is that the kids may not even realize that they are actually exercising. Here are a few of our favorites.
I have yet to win a game of Twister against my 8-year-old. They are so flexible as kids that they have a slight advantage, I think. The laughs, though, they’re priceless!
Charades is a classic family game, which you can add a Get Fit Challenge twist to. Add a couple of categories related to physical fitness like sports and outdoor activities.
Blowing bubbles will get all kids on their feet, even some adults. It sounds silly, but it’s true. There’s something about catching them and popping them that entertains any age group.
With all these fun ways to stay active with your kids this Winter, being stuck indoors may end up being something everyone looks forward to. Does your family have any indoor activities they love too?
Kate Trout says
Thanks so much for having me, Erika!
Erika says
Anytime, Kate! 🙂
Leah says
Great tips! I was just telling my husband that I wanted to get a medicine ball to do some things at home on.
Kate Trout says
Thanks, Leah! Medicine balls rock!
Beeb Ashcroft says
Great ideas to combine exercise with games so mom gets a chance to work out while playing with the kids! I love dancing video games because it’s a “Fun” way to work out when the weather is nasty.
Kate Trout says
Thanks, Beeb! Yeah, trying to combine exercise + keeping the kids entertained is always the goal 🙂
Tammilee Tips says
Love these tips!! Being active in the winter is hard to do but it helps so much with seasonal blahs too.
CarleeC says
I have been trying to get out and walk more. Intense cleaning of my house helps burn calories as well.
Heather Johnson says
On nice snowy days, I like to shovel while my daughter plays in the snow. My kids and I also love dancing around to music in our living room, and we like to go for long walks at the mall.
Erika says
Shoveling is one guaranteed way to stay active!
Meena says
Thank you for the informative article. It is necessary that kids remain active during the winter season and away from laziness. Therefore, parents should encourage them to participate in different activities which will help children stay from being lazy.