Let's Play Outside
A study by Living Streets found almost 50% of under 12’s never play outside and 25% of people knew less than two of their neighbours. 11% of parents of young children described their streets as “dangerous” and many have concerns regarding traffic volumes.
However outdoor play is a vital part of everyday life for children and too much “screen-time” indoors has been highlighted as a factor in children’s declining mental, physical and emotional health. Read more…
Balloon Games
A recent study carried out at the University of Essex revealed that “British children’s fitness is falling twice as fast as the international average” and this has been linked to time spent in front of TV or PC screens. Keeping children fit & healthy is most effective when done together and active play is the healthiest and most natural way both for children and for parents!
Children’s imagination is designed to keep them generating new ideas, activities and games and each one of these games will encompass a range of natural movements in all directions creating the safest and most effective work-out. In turn this raises heart and breathing rates, the essence of fitness and weight-management, develops motor skills, improves co-ordination, balance and social skills all whilst having fun! In the winter months play generates warmth and lifts mood, so all year play is vitally important for families. Read more…
A well known and easy to play group game suitable for all ages.
How Many Players: 3 or more
Aim of the Game: For the group to dodge, run, jump and avoid being touched by the ball/beanbag.
How to Play: Decide who is On first and give them a soft ball or beanbag.
All players run around the designated area (not too large otherwise it becomes untenable) the person who is On chases the group members and aims and throws the soft ball/beanbag at the legs of other players. If the ball makes contact with a players legs they are now On.
Equipment Needed: Softball or beanbag
Where to Play: In a good sized space clear of any obstacles eg park, hall. Decide on a boundary for the game before starting.
Benefits of this game: All “taggng” games are high intensity Aerobic Exercise so even a few minutes of a game like this will raise the heart rate, begin working the lungs and start burning calories. Good for all round health, spatial awareness and cardio vascualar health. Additional benefits are deveopment of hand eye co-ordination when On, and development of gross motor skills, flexibility and strength when dodging.
Play safe: Clear space free of obstacles, laces done up and good running footwear. Encourage players to be aware of everything around them, including each other! Only aim the ball/bean at players legs. Thow the ball/bean to make a gentle impact, it’s not bowling!
Games you used to play
1.
Stuck in the Mud
2.
Tag/Tig or It
3.
Hide and Seek
4.
Rounders
5.
Dodge Ball
6. Marbles (or Go-Go’s)
7. Skipping Games
8. Hop Scotch
9. Red Light Green Light
10. Capture The Flag
Do you remember your childhood days of tag, french skipping and acky 1,2,3 played at the top of the street with most of the neighbouring children? Now we are told that less than 50% of our under 12s ever play out at all [source: Living Streets]
Increase in traffic and built up areas, a fear of strangers and the ease, availability & attraction of TV, PC and Games Consoles have all contributed to the disappearance of much outdoor play for children. How sad that grazed elbows and gravely knees have been replaced with repetative strain injury and cabin fever.
Regular outdoor play keeps children fit and healthy by providing sustained activity which burns calories, strengthens heart and lungs and all round motor skills. Like all activity it increases endorphin levels generating a feeling of happiness and reducing childhood stress. Additionally group play develops social skills, imagination, confidence, concentration, rule following and negotiation – all important life skills that help children at home and in the classroom and ultimately as healthy, capable adults.
What games did you play outside as a child? Do you still remember the rules and how to play? Do you let your kids out to play? Do they have somewhere safe to play? Have your say!
Play yourself Fit
Keping fit doesn’t have to involve gyms, classes or extra expense. Active play is the healthiest and most natural way of keeping fit, both for children and for parents! Children’s imagination is designed to keep them generating new ideas, activities and games and each one of these games will encompass a range of natural movements in all directions, stimulate their cardio-vascular system, develop motor skills, co-ordination and balance and provide them with an all round work out all whilst having fun. It is this kind of activity that keeps weight down and heart rates up! In the winter months it generates warmth and lifts mood so all year play is vitally important for children and families.
There are many games that can be played indoors, in the backyard or out the front with neighbouring chldren and a supervising eye nearby.
Over the coming months we wll regualrly add new games and fitness ideas for family members so keep checking back or subscribe and let us know what brilliant ideas you and your children generate!
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