Establishing a fit and healthy lifestyle is vital - for parents and kids. Parents' Choice offers the following suggestions for products designed to introduce and encourage physical fitness in young children from infants to age 6. And don't miss Push, Pull, Pedal and Swing, our list of award-winning bikes, trikes and wild wheeled rides.
Wee Exercise
Ages: Infant - 1 yrs.
Wee Exercise, $30.00 (DVD)
In baby's first year of life, it's all about being "Fit from the Start to be Smart." Research shows that early exercise stimulates important connections in the brain that are the foundation for fine and gross motor skills. The Wee Exercise program is designed by a Pediatric Occupational Therapist to boost baby's coordination, strength, and brainpower helping baby reach those important development milestones. Product Description
Yoga Ma Baby Ga
Ages: Infant - 2 yrs.
Down Dog Productions, LLC, $24.95 (DVD)
Yoga Ma Baby Ga is an interactive mom and baby yoga experience; unique picture-in-picture format allows mom to follow postnatal yoga routine in lower corner of screen at the same time baby participates or watches engaging images and enriching music by her side.
Infantastic! Workout - Bonding with Baby through Excercise
Ages: 2 months - 10 months
Van Castle Entertainment, Inc., $14.99
This exercise program helps new moms bounce back from childbirth and regain energy and strength by working out with your pint-sized training partner. Divided into three mini-workouts, the program places special emphasis on the areas which new moms are most concerned - abdominals, thighs, buttocks and the pelvic floor muscles. Product Description
BabyPro: Let's Play Ball
Ages: 3 months - 4 yrs.
Producer: BabyPro, LLC, $17.95 (DVD)
BabyPro: Let’s Play Ball breathes new life into the baby-video genre by inspiring kids to go out and play, rather than just sit and watch. Three sports are featured, including baseball, basketball, and soccer. With each sport segment, three different levels are presented, starting with little kids playing the sport, moving to older elementary-school-age kids running around, then ending with professionals performing. At every stage, a narrator explains the fundamental skills involved in the sport while kids (and later adults) show how it’s done.
Easy Score Basketball
Ages: 1 - 5 yrs.
Little Tikes, $25.99
The sturdy toddler sized basketball hoop adjusts to six different heights, growing right along with developing athletes.
Huggy Sport Horseshoe Set
Ages: 2 & Up
Hooray!, $24.99
A colorful horseshoe game for your tot! These vividly colored horseshoes are easy to grip and are safe and fun to toss. Set comes with 4 soft rubber horseshoes and a base.
Huggy Sport: Bat and Ball
Ages: 2 & Up
Hooray!, $20.00
Watch your tot play ball! This set is great because it's soft - parents don't have to worry about hard bats. Great for hand/eye coordination and just overall fun. Comes in its own clear carrying case.
Huggy Sport: Ringtoss
Ages: 2 & Up
Hooray!, $25.00
Brightly colored and appealing, the easy-to-grip foam rings are big enough to allow the triumph of a toddler’s toss while still providing a challenge for the rest of the family. Although we highly recommend this for the kids, don’t be surprised to see it adorn an office desk near you. Carrying case is a plus.
Yoga Play Kit
Ages: 3 - 6 yrs.
Gaiam, Inc., $19.98
The Yoga Play Kit helps build confidence and increase strength, flexibility and balance. Award-winning children's yoga teacher Marsha Wenig shows kids yoga basics by adapting poses so your child can stretch like a dog, roar like a lion and take a hot air balloon "flight." Includes Yoga Play video (VHS, 20 minutes), Kids Yoga Mat (yellow, 60"L x 20"W x 1/8"H) and Fit Friends Stickers. Product Description
YogaKids- Silly to Calm
Ages: 3 - 6 yrs.
Gaiam, Inc., $19.98 (DVD)
This program presents several easy-to-follow programs for children to learn to channel their energy into flexibility, fitness and fun! Kids learn to move their bodies in ways that mimic the world around them, and as a result go from a high energy level to a relaxing calm level. Product Description
YogaKids - A, B, C's
Ages: 3 - 6 yrs.
Gaiam, Inc., $19.98 (DVD)
This easy-to-follow program presents children ages 3-6 with the experience of a playful approach to yoga. Children are provided with several simple techniques that they will enjoy, remember and use repeatedly. YogaKids 2 provides a creative association between the alphabet, animals and yoga poses. A great way for children to improve physical fitness, learn to focus, relax and have fun at the same time! Product Description
Fitness Fun Kit
Ages: 3 - 6 yrs.
Gaiam, Inc., $19.98
The Fitness Fun Kit for spins yoga into delightful play, combining physical activity with discovery and learning using irresistible kids' props and play tools. Award-winning children's yoga pioneer Marsha Wenig creates a captivating outlet for energy and creativity while teaching practical lifelong skills. Product Description
On the Ball Kit
Ages: 3 - 6 yrs.
Gaiam, Inc., $19.98
A safe and constructive outlet for your young child's energy, the On the Ball Kit is the first interactive fitness ball play set created just for kids. Includes On the Ball video with fun-to-do games and activities that challenge balance, posture and coordination; vinyl fitness ball; and foot-operated air pump. Product Description
KikaFlik
Ages: 3 - 7 yrs.
KikaFlik Inc., $35.00
With this innovative piece of equipment, a child can practice catching and batting a ball without need of a teammate. A 39-inch length of brightly-painted wood has a small fulcrum near one end. As a ball rolls down the incline, it becomes airborne when the child steps on the other end of the board. The child can either catch the ball as it drops, or use a racket or bat to practice tennis or baseball. Three soft, foam balls in different sizes and colors are included.
SportZone
Ages: 3 - 7 yrs.
Playhut, Inc., $19.99
Whether it’s shooting hoops, scoring a goal or training to be the next best golfer, the Sport Zone has it all. Comes equipped with basketball, soccer ball, golf putter and golf balls for hours of active fun.
Wai Lana's Little Yogis
Ages: 3 - 8 yrs.
Wai Lana Productions, $19.95
Fun, safe, easy, and convenient, this complete yoga kit provides everything a little yogi will need to get started on the path to a long, healthy life. The kit includes Little Yogis video; kid’s Yogi Mat styled with little cartoon yogis in action, in kid-friendly colors and size; kid’s Asana poster with 21 yoga exercises in cartoon style, and a colorful tote.
30" Rib-It-Ball (Also available in 14" and 18" sizes)
Ages: 3 - 10 yrs.
Bill & Bud, Inc., $50.00
Even the smallest hands will find the unique ribs and light weight design of this ball make it easy to grab and throw. The Rib-It-Ball is also stays within reach so children experience more hands-on "play time" instead of frustrating "chase time."
Crawl 'N Play
Ages: 3 & Up
Playhut, Inc., $29.99
Sturdy, flame-resistant, modular nylon play structure sets up in 30 seconds thanks to the sewn-in spring-action frame. Features one 32" x 33" x 33" cube plus two 18" x 20" tunnels and a nylon carrying case. For indoor or outdoor use.
Junior Swingball
Ages: 4 & Up
International Playthings, Inc.,$39.99
Tether ball set with 2 paddles has adjustable height and weather resistant components.
Yogateers Yoga Kit
Ages: 4 & Up
YogaYears, LLC, $39.95
The Yogateers™ kit provides children of all ages with a great introduction to yoga. Includes a yoga mat, playing cards, spinner, carrying case, and instructions.
Toucanz Trail Obstacle Adventure
Ages: 6 - 11 yrs.
Avid Ideas, $19.95 (DVD)
If you're looking for an exercise DVD that will get your child up off the couch, or looking for a video that might give you some active birthday party ideas, this is it. How can it do both? It's because there are two distinct parts. The first is a complete workout, from warm up to cool down, leading a group of elementary school kids through a variety of moves from sit-ups to push-ups and more. The second part of the video offers suggestions for creating your own obstacle course.
BucketBlast
Ages: 6 & Up
Lolo Company, Inc., $29.95
Buckets and bean bags come together as kids and adults toss, run, balance, chase, strategize, and team up for points and laughs. The kit comes with 15 different games -- 5 indoor, 5 outdoor, and 5 water games. Indoor games include beanbag concentration and a blindfolded bean bag toss. Great for parties.
Promoting A Healthy Family Lifestyle: Be Active
Just as parents guide and monitor their children’s academic health, parents need to take responsibility to initiate healthy habits for their children’s physical health and well-being. We've got 30 tips for families to exercise together to promote a healthy lifestyle.
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