Fitness-related words like "aerobic" or "isometric" may sound like a foreign language to children. However, a word that they do understand is "fun." If you want your child to get into better shape, then try making exercise fun. You can accomplish this by having your child play some health and fitness games. A few ideas are the wheelbarrow race, crab soccer and the penny balance.
Wheelbarrow Race
A wheelbarrow race can strengthen your child's upper body. It can also give your child a cardiovascular workout. To play this game, have a group of children get into pairs. One child in each pair gets down into push-up position and the other child stands behind him. The child who is standing picks up the other child's legs by grabbing his ankles. Have each pair start the race behind a designated starting line. Tell the kids to begin. The children who are in push-up position use their hands to race forward. The other children help move them forward as if they are wheelbarrows. When the children race to a certain point, they switch roles and race back to the starting line. The first pair to finish the race is the winning team.
Crab Soccer
Crab soccer can be played by a large group of children and it is a good workout for their arms and legs. This game is played like traditional soccer, but the kids get into crab-walk position. Have them use their hands and feet to walk around on the ground as their bodies face upward. You can use a regular soccer ball for this game. However, a large, inflated stability ball can make the game more exciting for the kids. Divide the children into two equal teams and have them try to kick the ball into the opposing team's goal. You can use cones to make each goal and to designate the four corners of the field. The team that scores the most goals wins the game. Make sure the kids kick the ball and not each other.
Penny Balance
The penny balance game can improve your child's balance and leg strength. All you need is one penny for each child who plays the game. Have each child raise one knee and place a penny on top of it. After the children put the pennies on their knees, they are not allowed to touch them again until the game is over. When a penny falls off a child's knee, that child is out of the game and must sit down. The last child who is able to balance the penny is the winner of the game. Have the kids use the opposite knee for the next round of the game.
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