Backyard sports are a good way to get family members of all ages engaged in physical activity. Creating fun sports activities at home encourages exercise and combats childhood obesity, according to HelpGuide.org. Young children who cannot roam too far from home can enjoy the challenge and competition of sports close to home. Backyard sports gets the family away from televisions and other sedentary activities, and they can help children develop coordination, confidence and healthy bodies.
Badminton and Volleyball
Set up a game of badminton or volleyball even if you do not have nets and poles. Use chairs or other objects to attach a rope for use as a net. Use a medium-size or large plastic ball to for volleyball. Inexpensive rackets and shuttles are all you need for badminton. Be creative and use whatever you have on hand. Both games can be played by two people or two teams.
Obstacle Course
Create an obstacle course in your backyard. Include in the course things to crawl under or jump over. A large cardboard box is good for crawling though. Add items that require hopping or quick stepping, such as tires or hoops placed on the ground. A child's wading pool can provide a water hazard for participants. Make up rules to make the course more challenging and use a watch to time each player's completion of the course.
Broom Soccer
PBS Kids recommends this improvised game of soccer for six or more players. You will need a foam soccer ball, four brooms and two dust pans. Create two goals by attaching tape to cones, chairs or other objects. Divide players into two teams and provide each player with a broom, except for the goalies, who get dustpans. The players sweep the ball into the goals, and aren't allowed to kick or throw. Teams must score three goals first to win.
Water Sports
Use a wading pool to make a game of tug-of-war interesting. Have the teams pull the rope over the water, landing the losing team in the water. You can also play basketball with a floating net and sponge balls in a large backyard pool.
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