Physical games for toddlers

Our toddlers are like little sponges & are learning from day one. Healthy lifestyle habits start during these first years of their life. By getting them into a daily routine which includes physical games & activities they enjoy, you are setting them up for later on in life. By making exercise ‘fun’, you are helping them to develop a positive attitude about keeping active.

You, as their parent, are their best example. Yes we all have busy schedules, but it is possible to make time to join in playing with your child and to encourage them to be active.

Make physical activity a part of your daily & weekly routine. Whether it be dancing with them to their favourite CD or a trip to the park, every little bit counts.

Here are some ideas:

- Put on a cd/dvd or favourite TV program and dance with your toddler. Having a good belly laugh at each other’s funny moves will give your bodies an extra-workout too!

- Run around outside with your toddler – play chasing or kick/throw a ball around together.

- Play games like ring-a-rosie, heads shoulders knees & toes or sing your favourite songs while spinning/running around in a circle.

- If you have a backyard or other safe outdoor area nearby, go outside and ‘explore’ with your toddler! (Watch them be fascinated by everything they discover.)

- If you have stairs in or outside of your house, walk up & down them with your toddler. If they’ve just mastered the stairs, you’ll find they’ll enjoy practicing climbing up & down. (Do this in between other games so it doesn’t become monotomous.)

- Some toddlers are born helpers & like copying what you do, so let them help you with some of the housework! Get them to pass you pegs when you’re hanging out the washing or pass them a cloth and tell them to wipe up something they’ve spilled.

- Section off a small part of your garden for your toddler to make their own special garden! Move around the yard picking flowers, collect stones & leaves with them, and let them position all the bits & pieces on their bit of dirt.

- Let them take you for a walk – open the front door and see where they want to lead you, within reason! (See how the journey, not the destination, is fulfilling for your child.)

- Get them out of the pram at the shops. If the mall isn’t packed out and you’re not in a rush to get home, this can be a good chance for your toddler to stretch their legs. Most of the time they don’t want to be stuck in the pram for the whole trip anyway.

- Push/pull toys (toy strollers, wagons etc) and ride-on cars are great fun for little, busy people! You’ll find them at most toy & department stores, or why not check out local garage sales for more bargains?!

- Parks - If you aren’t familiar with your local parks, grab your local street directory and find them! Take a favourite toy ball along with you - Isabella loves bouncing hers down the slide! Swinging and climbing over the playground equipment yourself will further encourage your toddler to join in ( and you’ll be there beside them to hopefully prevent accidents).

- Indoor play centres - These are great to visit on rainy days & have lots of fun equipment for the kids to play on. Google "Indoor play centres" in your area.

- Check out Gymbaroo! A program which provides physical activities and other developmental learning activities for your toddler while they have heaps of fun. Check out their website (below) for a location near you.

- Go swimming. Its Winter here in Australia at the moment, but you might be fortunate enough to have an indoor heated pool nearby. If so, make use of it! You might even find your local pool offers discount swimming lessons for kids in the Winter. Buy a winter swim suit for your toddler to provide them with extra warmth.

- Playgroup – suggest to your playgroup, if you don’t do this already, to put on music so the kids can dance, or organise games & activities outside for them to do.

- If you as a parent want to get active – don’t be afraid to do your own exercise session in front of them. By your toddler seeing you exercise, they’ll know its a normal part of daily life.

Generally toddler’s are naturally energetic and it won’t hard be to encourage them to join in activities. The main thing is to find the fun in being active with them! Remember your toddler finds amusement and enjoyment in the most simplest and smallest things. So get up, get moving & have fun!

Links:

http://www.babycenter.com.au/toddler/penelopeleach/playphysical/ - Physical play for toddlers

http://www.gymbaroo.com.au/ - Gymbaroo

http://www.lollipopsplayland.com.au/home_au.php - Lollipops Playland