Physical Activities You Could Do With Little Kids
Little kids are usually fireballs of energy--sometimes too much. They need a way to work off the excess, as well as learn good fitness habits that will last a lifetime. You don't want to encourage your toddler to only enjoy passive forms of exercise, such as watching TV. There's no need, though, to be at a loss for physical activities to keep them entertained and occupied.
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Walking
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One of the simplest and easiest activities to do with your small child is to go for a walk. You might explore different neighborhoods, including your own. You could visit a park together, perhaps with a family pet. You could also simply run errands with your toddler that are within walking distance from your house. This gets them to see exercise as a natural part of their day, and not a boring chore.
Hiking
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It's never too early to start hiking with your toddler, as long as the trails are appropriate for someone of their age. Steep hills and uncut foliage should be avoided at this stage in their development, as it could risk getting them injured or too tired to continue for long. Set them up on an easy trail with their own water bottle and special walking stick. Point out all the different and interesting things you pass.
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Dancing
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Most little children love to get up and dance, as long as the music is to their liking. Instead of adult dance music (which may be too fast or have lyrics inappropriate for their age group), choose tunes specifically designed for dancing with your toddler. You can also have them help you pick out the music. Then clear some space in your living room or basement, turn up the stereo and dance the time away.
Racing
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Sometimes, nothing spurs on little kids more than a little competition. Arrange for playdates with similarly aged children and have a race. Mark a defined starting and finish line somewhere in your yard (or a park) and bring a whistle you can blow when the race begins. Instead of having a prize only for the winners, make sure that the other children get a "participation" prize.
Games
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Games are a way to get little kids moving around and hardly noticing the effort they're putting in. Activities such as beating a pinata, hide-and-seek and treasure hunts are all options that you can explore with your toddler. Have them make up a new game with you and let them play that.
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References
- Photo Credit Happy Toddler image by Mary Beth Granger from Fotolia.com
