Children are naturally inquisitive and playful. Providing them with the right exercise equipment not only gives them a healthy outlet for their natural inquisitiveness and playfulness, but may help them develop exercise habits that will benefit them into adulthood. The best exercise equipment for children is chosen specifically to meet the needs of the child based on age, abilities and interests.
Benefits
Exercise is beneficial for children in a number of ways, and the right exercise equipment can keep children active. According to Dr. Theodore Ganley of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, exercise can help children maintain a healthy weight, ensure proper bone development to prevent problems later in life, minimize the risk factors for cardiovascular disease, help children deal with stress and anxiety, and improve their self-image. Exercise in childhood has the opportunity to positively influence fitness as an adult.
Motor Skills
Children develop motor skills--hand-eye coordination, for example--at different rates, but generally within the same age range. When developing and designing exercise equipment for children, manufacturers take these developmental stages into consideration. Baseball equipment for young children, for example, includes larger bats, larger balls, smaller fields and "tees" onto which the ball is placed for hitting. When choosing equipment, choose developmentally appropriate equipment for your child.
Physical Education
Many children have physical education classes in school. According to an article published in The Elementary School Journal in 2008, the exercise equipment that should be available to elementary school children includes jump ropes, balls, basketball hoops, hula hoops, beanbags, rackets, mats, gymnastics apparatus and climbing boxes. There should be sufficient jump ropes, balls, beanbags and rackets for every child. There should be sufficient quantities of other equipment that time waiting is minimized.
Types
Types of exercise equipment that are suitable for children from ages 6 months to 2 years includes swings that have full bucket seats, spring rockers and climbing ramps that are a maximum of 32 inches high. Exercise equipment suitable for children from ages 2 years to 5 years includes merry-go-rounds, climbing equipment a maximum of 60 inches high, rung ladders and balance beams that are a maximum of 12 inches high. Exercise equipment suitable for children from ages 5 years to 12 years includes climbing equipment a maximum of 84 inches high, fulcrum seesaws and vertical sliding poles.
Safety
Correct supervision is crucial when children are exercising; this cannot be overstated. To minimize injury, children's exercise equipment should be appropriate for the sport or activity being played, should properly fit the child and should be regularly inspected for signs of damage. Equipment and play areas should be located away from motor vehicles, a leading cause of recreation-related injuries according to Dr. Theodore Ganley. Monitor use of exercise equipment to prevent overuse injuries, especially as children near puberty. The National Program for Playground Safety stresses the importance of considering the surface on which children play and exercise to minimize the risk of injuries from falls. Additionally, children should wear sunscreen when playing outdoors and consume adequate liquids to guard against dehydration.
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