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Getting Exercise Indoors

by Rae Pica

I read somewhere that the children in Anchorage, Alaska, go outside for recess every day that the temperature is higher than 20-below. As I sit here wrapped in layers, awaiting a snowstorm, the idea of that makes me shiver. But I do remember that when I was a child I wasn’t affected by the cold, and I know that being outside, cold or not, is beneficial to kids in more ways than I can count.

Still, there will be days when, for one reason or another, going outside isn’t possible. Does that mean your and your children should turn into couch potatoes? Absolutely not!

Following are three partner activities requiring little space, making them perfect for you and your child, or two of your children, to do together in the living or family room.

Palm to Palm. Use this simple game, which reinforces the concepts of around and how many, improves spatial awareness, and teaches cooperation, as a warm-up.

Partners stand facing one another with their arms extended and palms touching. They then drop their arms to their sides, close their eyes, turn around, and try to once again touch palms with their eyes closed! Once the children are experienced at this, the next challenge is to ask them to turn around more than once before connecting with their partner! How many times can they turn around and still come back together?

Bicycle Built for Two. This game reinforces the concepts of around and rotation and promotes counting skills, cooperation, teamwork, and togetherness. From a physical perspective, it helps build muscular strength and muscular endurance, two of the five health-related fitness factors.