Childhood obesity is a growing concern for many parents and educators, and for good reasons. Many kids lead sedentary lifestyles, spending their time sitting in front of computer and TV screens rather than engaging in physical activity. It can be hard to entice kids away from their electronics. Help encourage healthy habits and prevent childhood obesity by introducing kids the fun outdoor activities.
Stepping Stones Game
This game will require sport spots or dome cones (or in a pinch, a stack of 6 x 6 pieces of flat cardboard will do). Mark off a course about twenty feet long. Divide kids into two even teams, and give the first player for each team about fifteen dome cones (more for younger or less abled students.) Their task is to use the cones to construct a path of "stepping stones" from the starting line to the finish line, and for each subsequent member to then walk along the path to the finish line.
The catch? Players can only step on the stones. If they fall off, or step onto or touch the ground for any reason, they must return to the starting line and hand any cones that haven't yet been placed to the next person in line. Once all the cones are placed, players can move the cones around, as long as they do not touch the ground with their hands or feet. Only one player can walk across the stones at a time. The first team to get all of its members through the stepping stones and across the finish line wins.
Added challenge: take away one cone from each team in each subsequent round so the game becomes more and more challenging.
Simon Says
Give this old favorite a new twist. Instead of the old "raise your right arm," and "pat your head," make the commands more physical. The object is to really get the kids moving. The faster the leader can call out commands, the better. This will really speed up the pace of the game.
Some suggestions:
- Jumping jacks
- Jump up and down
- Sit ups
- Push ups
- Scissor Kicks
- Arm circles
- Toe touches
- Boxing punches
Kids will enjoy seeing if they can keep up with the leaders commands and hopefully they will work up a sweat in the process.
Human Knot
This game requires at least five or six players. Players stand in a circle and reach their hands into the middle of the circle. They must join each of their hands with the hands of two other players. It's more challenging if kids don't choose either of the players standing right next to them.
The object? Players must then untangle themselves back into a circle. They will have to climb over and under each other's clasped hands. but they cannot let go of each other's hands while doing this. Students will have to be physically agile, creative, and work together as a team to complete this task.
Use these and other activities to get kids outside and get them moving during their free summer months. An active kid is a healthy and fit kid!
Susan Carney - I have been working as a middle school counselor with 6th and 7th grade students for the past thirteen years. I received a BA in ...
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