Physical activity for kids is one of the essential things that make their body grow healthy and is also responsible for the proper development of their lungs, brain, bones, muscles, and heart. In teenagers, it is especially beneficial. An obvious example is easing the symptoms of PMS in girls by producing the endorphin that is a natural painkiller. Another reason to indulge your kid in physical activities is their mental health that can have several benefits, like better mood, reducing anxiety, better sleep, the increased opportunity to socialize (especially in group sports), etc. Physical activity can make your kid more concentrated in school which can lead to better performances in the classroom. Not to mention the overall positive body image that sports can bring to young people. Now that we know this, let’s check which physical activities are among the most beneficial ones for your kid.
Running with joy
Kids generally like running so you probably won’t have to make your kid have this activity. If you have a backyard, your kid will have an opportunity to run freely while playing different games. They like to express their joy and excitement by running or jumping, so this activity can be pretty spontaneous. Don’t force your kid to be quieter or not to run, if it’s outdoors and doesn’t bother anyone. It is good for them to make them run, shout and be spontaneous. The love for running could even stick until some adult age which can give them a good habit of doing sports and improve their health in the long term.
Jumping is a perfect cardio
Jumping is another spontaneous kids’ activity that they will do gladly. If you provide them with a trampoline, the fun increases. You probably don’t have one so a visit to some game rooms from time to time could make your kid happy while enjoying trampoline or any other activity that includes freestyle jumping. Other than being an excellent cardio exercise, it is a good practice to maintain balance and to straighten the muscles. Introducing a skipping rope as a part of children’s playing routine can be both funny and useful, so consider this as well.
Different games for children
The good old “traffic light” game was a favorite of many of us. As you probably know, each color of the traffic light is associated with a different task. Red can be push-ups, green can be squatting, yellow running, or whatever you assign. If done in a big group of kids it can be funny and also physically demanding. This can boost the competitiveness if there is some small prize for those who are still on their feet after completing so many tasks.
Skipping for coordination
Just like jumping, skipping is an excellent cardio exercise that can make the coordination better, as well as the balance. Some traditional games include hopscotch which is easy to make since you only need a piece of chalk. Since this game combines jumping on both two and one legs, this makes it good for practicing balance. The aforementioned jumping rope is another good choice and it has several variations, like jumping forward and backward, or measuring the time so kids can be competitive and give their best. Obstacle games where you need to skip something over or skip around that object are interesting for your kids and very useful as physical activity.
Riding a bike
These days with so many kids using technology from a very early age, parents have been worried and trying to make their children spend more time in nature and doing different activities. Biking can be one of them since riding a bike can make your kids’ motricity much better, be an excellent exercise and also improve their balance and coordination. Many parents don’t have small bikes for children, and it would be good to own one that is appropriate for their age and physical complexion. If you want your kid to indulge in this activity make sure to check kids’ bikes for sale and find some that match your budget.
Playing team sports
Team sports are more than just a physical activity. They are very important for the emotional and mental development of kids. Confidence that they get from their peers and coach can be very significant for them. They learn how to work in a group and accomplish some goals together. This can be important for the development of some future leadership skills.
Squats and lunges
These exercises are the best for your kids’ leg muscles, which gives an excellent base for many sports, such as football, soccer, basketball, volleyball, and many others. These exercises can be pretty demanding sometimes and in order not to make your kid quit, make it a game. Count intervals and repetitions and participate yourself if needed. Make sure that everything is done properly because you want to avoid injuries. Jumping jacks are a great combination of squats and jumps that your kid will love.
Swimming for overall health
Swimming is something that all people should learn because of water safety. Being a good swimmer should be taught from an early age. Is one of those activities that provide several benefits, physical activity, enhancing lung capacity, strengthening heart muscles, and learning a new and useful skill. If you want a combination of team sports and swimming, water polo can be a great choice for your kid.
Dancing for boys and girls
Children naturally love to dance and if you play some music they will probably start dancing spontaneously. Dance can improve their sense of rhythm and their creativity generally. Dancing is not just something people do for fun. It is a mix of art, fun, and physical activity. It enhances the development of spatial awareness in kids and their confidence. Whether you have a boy or a girl, dance lessons are universal and this activity can do wonders for your kids.
Physical activity is one of the most important things for the good development of your child. Make sure you include different kinds of activities in your kid’s everyday life and to see what they like the most. If they like biking, invest in a proper kids’ bike, or if they like dancing, provide them some dance lessons. Of course, everything can be improvised at home and kept spontaneous in case your budget is tight. Just try to have fun with your kid and provide them with useful activities along the way.
