Exercise---including physical games---is not only fun for children, it is a vital component of good health. According to Kids Health, the benefits of exercise are numerous and far reaching. Children who are active have stronger muscles and bones, less body fat, less risk of developing type 2 diabetes, less risk of becoming overweight and enjoy a generally better outlook on life. In addition, they are likely to have lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels than children who are sedentary.
Creative Aerobic Dance Routine
All you need to start this exercise game is a CD player and a CD of 10 to 20 minutes of music with a clear, strong beat, such as disco, dance or hip hop. Begin by having children walk in place to warm up. After everyone has warmed up, each child gets a chance to call out commands for the other dancers to follow. These can include hopping on one foot, performing rhythmic jumping jacks, jogging in place or jumping from one foot to the other. After a few minutes of "rehearsal," try to have each child remember his contribution, and write the routine down in order on a large sheet of paper you place in front of you so you can call out commands for the routine while participating yourself. The result may not be equal to that of a professional dance troupe, but kids will have fun moving in sync. Family Fun notes that aerobic dance increases oxygen supply to heart and lungs, as well as other organs. It also promotes endurance and flexibility.
Academic--Athletic Egg Hunt
You can adapt the popular tradition of the Easter egg hunt to provide exercise and mental stimulation all year long. All that is required to start this game, suggested by Kids Running, are plenty of papers and pencils, arranged at an outdoor "workstation"---this can be a picnic table or even a flat, convenient rock---and scraps of paper with math problems written on them. You can also provide pictures of objects or animals; children will need to correctly identify them and spell their names. If desired, you can place the papers and pictures in brightly colored plastic eggs, or simply hide them well around the yard. Children must run to find the eggs, run to the workstation to solve the problem and race on to find other eggs. The child with the most correct answers in the shortest time wins a prize. Young children who don't want to be left out can hunt for specially colored eggs with small treats, toys or very simple problems concealed inside; older kids should be notified to bypass these.
Scream Team, or Field of Screams
Scream Team requires no props, equipment, or set up. All you need to begin playing this game, recommended by Kids Running, are children ready to run and scream. Have children line up shoulder to shoulder on the edge of a field, playground or yard. When you say "Go!' players begin running toward the other side as fast as they can. The catch is that they are only allowed to keep running as long as they can scream. For an entertaining variation on this game, divide children into two teams facing each other, and have children run one at a time toward the opposing team. If they make it to the other team's side without running out of air, screaming the whole way, their team receives 1 point. The first team to get 5 points wins.
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