Getting kids to exercise with games will allow them to enjoy time with their friends and classmates while getting the exercise they need. Kids get exercise by playing games, participating in physical education classes and playing at recess, according to the Kids Health website. Children benefit from regular exercise, including a decreased risk of Type 2 diabetes, better handling of emotional and physical stress and having a better outlook on life, says Kids Health.
Tag
Tag is a childhood game that has been around for generations and which has different versions in countries such as Brazil, Turkey, Taiwan and Korea, according to Topics Online Magazine. Kids can play tag in a large or small group. Children will spend plenty of time running that such a simple game makes for effective aerobic exercise. Weather conditions only enhance the game of tag. When playing tag in the snow, the act of running is harder and requires more aerobic output in a shorter amount of time. Playing tag while in the pool offers exercise opportunities while children are enjoying the water.
Wheelbarrow
Young children can exercise and increase stability by playing wheelbarrow. Wheelbarrow is best played with an adult holding the child's ankles and then following behind where the child is leading. As children get older, add hills and valleys to increase the difficulty of wheelbarrow even more. Set up an obstacle course with cones so that children must turn in circles, climb small hills or climb and descend sets of stairs. Divide the children into groups depending on the number of adults. Each set of children has an adult handler and line up at the starting line. The first group of children to successfully complete the obstacle course wins. Adding elements to the obstacle course will make the game harder for older children.
Animal Kingdom: Zoo Keeper Freeze
Preschoolers will enjoy acting like animals while playing animal kingdom. This game can be played in a class of preschoolers through elementary school-aged children. The movement will help strengthen a preschooler's large muscles and increase stamina, according to Parents magazine. Teach the movements of many different animals. Making the sounds of the animals will get children laughing while they are getting their entire body moving. This game is played much like "Simon Says." Yell out the name of the animal the child is to act like. After a minute or two of elephant walking or kangaroo jumping, yell "Zookeeper says freeze." Any child who does not freeze in the movement of the specified animal is out and must sit down. The last child standing wins.
Mini-Olympics
Older children will enjoy competing against each other in nontraditional physical contests. Set up three to four stations where children compete in different physical contests. Handstands, jump rope and jumping jacks can all be turned into fun contests. Ask children who can stand on their hands the longest, then stand back and be the judge. Challenging children to 50, 100 or 150 jumping jacks not only works them out physically, but also is a math challenge for 5- and 6-year-olds. Jumping rope can be done alone or in groups. Rope jumping contests can include who jumps the longest or who has the most creative jumps. Each event needs three judges who determine first, second and third prizes. At the end of each event host a medal ceremony.
