How to Plan Indoor Exercise for Kids

Have a jumping jack contest!

If it's too cold or too wet to play outside, help your kids burn off some energy with some indoor exercise disguised as fun. There are quite a few creative ways-and here are several.

Instructions

1. Host a basketball shootout using foam balls. If you don't have a hoop, use a trashcan or bucket. Keep things interesting by moving the basket around or rotating where the shooter starts (e.g. perched on the sofa, standing on the stairs or lying on his back).

2. Blow up balloons and play "Keep Off the Floor." The more balloons you add to the mix, the crazier it gets!

3. Lead a yoga session or pop in a video. To keep the kids engaged, focus on poses with kid-friendly names such as Warrior, Downward Dog or Cat.

4. Hit the game closet and bring out your classic Twister game or newer activities such as Cranium Hullabaloo or Nintendo Wii.

5. If you have a treadmill or elliptical trainer, set up a contest to see how fast or far they can move in 3- to 5-minute spurts. If you take some breaks (or take turns between kids) you could get 30 minutes of exercise out of them.

6. Set up a bowling alley using empty water bottles (or cups or bicycle squirt bottles) and foam balls.

7. Have a sock war. Ball up all the socks you can find and you're ready for an indoor snowball fight. Just remember to remove breakables beforehand!

8. Organize a dance contest, or for younger kids, a game of Dance Freeze. Everyone dances until the music suddenly stops. Applaud the funniest frozen pose and then start the music back again.