Go Fly a Kite: Five Kid-Friend Workouts
I hear people say all the time, “I don’t have time to exercise.” Generally, this is an excuse meant to alleviate the guilt of skipping the gym. However, if you’re a busy parent you may legitimately think you have no time for cardio or yoga classes. Psychologist Jean Piage said play is a child’s work, but add the word “out” to the end of that sentence and you have your solution. Here are five kid-friendly workouts tailor made for the busy parent.
Go Fly a Kite
When I was little I begged my mom to buy me a drug store kite. Elated when she acquiesced, I frantically unwrapped the packaged and headed to the parking lot behind our house. I lifted my arms high, tossed that bad boy in the air, and ran for my life.
The kite hit the ground immediately.
I lifted my arms, hoisted the kite in the air, and ran for my life.
The kite hit the ground again.
Frustrated, I looked to my mom, who through tears of laughter said, “I told you that you can’t fly a kite in the parking lot.”
Not to be defeated, I continued the process of hoisting and running for the next hour. Finally, my mother brought me in the house and made me a cup of soup. I was exhausted and discouraged but what I remember is my mother was THERE, running beside me. Happy childhood memory AND cardio!
Jump Rope
Jump ropes are inexpensive and readily available. Any activity that raises your heart rate is great cardio, of course, but did you know that jumping rope can increase your child’s self-esteem at the same time? This study noted that after children participated in an 8-week jump rope regimen, their self-concept increased regardless of any perceptible physiological changes. Check out some jump rope games and rhymes to get you going!
Hula Hoop
I remember standing in our cul-de-sac for hours, hula hoop in hand more often than waist. If you didn’t already pick up on this fact, coordination was not my strong suit. When my kids were little, I decided we would try again. Besides the fits of laughter and tears of amusement running down their faces, we still talk about Mom and the Great Hula Hoop Fiasco, twenty plus years later. Great memories aside, coordination is important to hone in children. Did you also know that coordination games are used in the treatment of dementia? The next time you forget to sign your child’s permission slip, you may wish you’d picked up a Hula Hoop sooner.
Hopscotch
I hope this one has put a smile of nostalgia on your face. The anticipation of a good game of hopscotch was preceded by grabbing a fat stick of chalk and drawing out the board. That act in and of itself was enough to draw neighborhood friends to your yard in droves. It’s cardio, coordination, and family bonding all in one. Get your hands dirty and remember what it’s like to play like a child.
Red Rover
While this isn’t easy to play in small groups, the relationship of fitness qualities and sprinting is well documented. Guaranteed your kids have played Red Rover in school, so get out there and sprint across the lawn together. Training for PE and the playground is a great way to let your kids know you’re in their corner, even if you’re not on their team.
The amount of time children play outdoors is decreasing with each passing generation. Outdoor play is an important part of the work of a child. Likewise, staying healthy so you can see them into adulthood is the job of a parent. Maybe you don’t have time to go to the gym, but if you give your child 30 minutes of play, three days a week, your family can enjoy a longer life together.
