Indoor exercises for young children
Physical exercise is one of the key components to a healthy life for every human being, and young children are no different. Children tend to love going outside and running around or playing in the park, and they certainly get lots of exercise in that way, even if they are not aware of it. But, what can parents do to make sure their kids are active and burn some energy (for a better night's sleep!) inside the house? We all have those rainy, cold, or hot days when going outside simply doesn't make sense. Thankfully, there are plenty of interesting indoor exercises for young children.
Monkey sees, monkey does
This is a game where one family member shows what the rest of the family should be doing. You could do jumping jacks and get your children to repeat them, for instance. After that, it is their turn to make up a move – my children invent wild moves such as hopping like a rabbit or walking around with one arm in front of their face like an elephant's trunk. This game beats boredom and burns calories!
Indoor trampolines
If you have space in your home, you can consider purchasing an indoor trampoline. These can provide hours of active fun inside the home. One bonus benefit is that parents do not have to actively engage in this activity, meaning it is very suitable for women who are expecting another baby and who are suffering from pregnancy signs (http://www.trying-to-conceive.com/pregnancy-signs/) and symptoms. An alternative to indoor trampolines is a hopping ball with handles. Put your furniture aside, and allow your kids to bounce around the living room as much as they want.
Dance together
One very simple way to get your children to exercise is by putting on a favorite CD with happy, upbeat music. Join your children in doing silly dances to the tune of the music for as long as you all can. Nearly every small child loves dancing to music. Encourage them to try as many silly moves as they can think of, and do the same yourself. This is a great way for the whole family to release some energy in a positive way. When you get tired, snuggle up in bed or on the couch together and read books. Incidentally, dancing and listening to music is also a great excuse to get some cleaning done. Why not challenge your children to put as many toys as possible away before the song ends, all while dancing?
Balloons
Every parent who has tried this knows that indoor football or tennis is a very, very bad idea. There is another option though – you can blow up several balloons, and challenge your preschoolers to make sure the balloons stay up in the air, and don't reach the floor. The more balloons you have, the harder this game will be, and the more exercise they will consequently get. You see? Working out doesn't have to be boring at all!
This is a Guest Post:
Olivia writes about female health and fertility at her blog, Trying To Conceive. Women who are hoping to get pregnant can use her free ovulation calendar (http://www.trying-to-conceive.com/ovulation-calendar/) to pinpoint their most fertile days.
