21 Indoor Exercise Games
★ Summary
Exercise games are a simple way for a family to integrate movement into any day.
- Wheelbarrow, crab, and bear-walk races: Holding one of these tough positions gives you a real workout.
- Animal races: Hop like a bunny or frog; squat and waddle like a duck; and so on.
- Jumping jacks: Simple but good for coordination and they get your heart going.
- Balloon ball: There are endless ways to play with balloons indoors. Try to keep it off the ground or just play catch. Mix it up with balloon tennis!
- Dance party: Turn on the music and shake your groove thing.
- Jump rope: If you have downstairs neighbors who complain, go in the hall. For more fun learn jump-rope rhymes.
- Obstacle course: Create a furniture course in your home. Add in specific mental or physical challenges to keep them guessing.
- Follow the leader: Add to the workout with energetic movements such as jumping and squatting.
- Freeze dance: When the music stops, freeze in your pose and hold it until the music begins again.
- Scavenger hunt: Write up clues and hide them around the apartment/house. Kids can race to find each clue for a small prize at the end.
- Parachute: This kiddie gym standby can be re-created at home with sheets. Each kid takes an end of the parachute or sheet and fans it upward while one of you runs underneath.
- Bubble wrap attack: If you get bubble wrap in the mail, jump on it until it's all popped.
- Clean-up race: Set a timer or put on a song to see who can clean the room the fastest.
- Tickle tag: Chase your children. When you catch them, it's tickle time.
- Carnival: Set up carnival games such as "Knock Down the Milk Cans" (we used Tupperware).
- Hallway bowling: Fill up water bottles and use any ball you have.
- Hopscotch: Use painter tape to make a game on your floor.
- Sock skating: If you have hardwood floors, put on socks to skate around. Make sure to move the furniture. Kids also like to up the speed factor with a couple of pieces of wax paper under each foot.
- Bubble bashing: Blow bubbles and let your child try to smash them.
- Wrestling: Put down a mat, or play on a rug or bed. See if your kids can wrestle you to the ground.
- Popcorn pushups: Put a small bowl of popcorn on the floor. Lower yourself down and stick out your tongue to get a piece of popcorn with each thrust.
Information from Mommy Poppins