Active Play Ideas for the Indoors
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No matter where you live in the world, there will be times the weather is too bad for the children to play outside. That does not mean they should stop being active though. Activity is good for both their mental and physical health, and if they are stuck indoors they should still be able to have some active play.
What Is The Difference Between Active Play And Exercise?
Active play is when children are running in the park or playground. It can be playing football, hopscotch or any other games that keeps them on the move.
Exercise tends to be more structured, more planned and more repetitive. Generally, as youngster’s children will have more active play than they do exercise.
How Much Activity Do Children Need?
The amount of activity children need depends on their age. Preschool children should have 2 hours active play a day, but once they start school and into their teens an hour a day is enough. This does not need to be all at once. It could be that they have dance classes at Industrie Performing Arts, or that they play in a sports team at school. It can even be split into much smaller segments, as long as you make sure they reach the target for the day.
Finding Ideas For Indoors Active Play
There are lots of indoor active play games for children when the weather is bad, and many of them are simple but great fun for them.
You could put some music on and have a dance party, perhaps making it more interesting by introducing rounds of freeze dancing. There are video games involving dancing too, where the children have to try and copy what the dancers on the screen are doing.
You could create an indoor treasure hunt, play hide and seek or practice stretching and yoga. Games such as ‘Simon Says’ and charades are always popular with children too.
If you really cannot find any activity to do at home, go to the local swimming baths and find out about the low-cost options for lessons. Most of them have some sort of deal for kids of all ages, as often they are supported with grants to teach children how to swim and be safe in the water.
Sometimes, you will find indoor playgrounds that are suitable for younger children, and some gyms will open their doors to teenagers that have an adult with them.
Above All, Make It Fun
Whatever indoor activities you choose, the most important thing is that you make it fun. Children feel they are being punished when they are made to do things they do not enjoy but you can combat this by including them in the choices you make and letting them help to plan it.
Always make sure they have plenty of water to drink when they need it and some healthy snack for afterwards if they have had a long session at some activity.
All of these things will help to instill the concept of healthy living into them from a young age, and as kids learn by example, seeing you being active with them will just confirm that in their own minds.
Disclosure: This Blog does contain affiliate links which I may earn a small commission from if you purchase through them, at no extra cost to you.
