Thoughts of summer include lots of outdoor fun like pool parties, playing in the sprinklers, baseball and soccer games, and nature hikes. But there are days when it is just too HOT to be outside, especially for little ones. Overheating can happen very quickly on these extremely hot days we’ve had recently. So, what are some ways to get kids – and adults – moving inside, rather than just plopping down in front of the TV?
Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Get up and move!
- Put on music and have a dance party.
- Balloon party. Have fun blowing them up and then make up games to toss or hit them in the air or in front of a fan. You can also play “tennis” with balloons by making “rackets” from a paper plate and plastic ruler.
- Play Twister or create other color games with pieces of colored paper. Make paths through the house with paper of different colors. Then create a game of stepping or jumping on various colors (sort of like Simon Says).
- Do some simple yoga poses or other exercises.
- Ping pong ball catch. Both preschoolers and older kids can have fun tossing and catching a ping pong ball (or other lightweight ball) in plastic cups.
For quieter times…
- Make a tent or fort. Two folding chairs and a blanket are all you need to create a new and different space to read, do puzzles, or just play.
- Make a “boat” from a rectangular laundry basket or a large cardboard box (recycle those Amazon boxes!). For extra fun, make sails or paddles and take stuffed animals or dolls on an adventure.
- Create a do-it-yourself marble race from cardboard tubes. Search Pinterest for ideas to get you started.
