It's About Time
Let's Play
Have you made a commitment to spend time with youth by taking part
in active play but feel you don’t have the time or are not sure what
to do? You are not alone.According to a new global study from Ikea on the play patterns of kids (the PlayReport), 89 percent of parents agree that play can increase a child’s imagination and creativity, but 45 percent felt they didn’t have enough time to play with their children. Many adults also are not sure what to do even if they made time for play.
Don’t worry. We've got you covered. Engaging in physical activity with a young person doesn’t have to be laborious or stressful. There are simple and inexpensive things you can do, from miniature golf to playing thumb war. Whatever you decide to do, make sure the time spent together is memorable and, most of all, fun! Here is a list of activities to get you started.
Adventurous Activities
Hiking · Skateboarding · Rollerblading · Canoeing · Go Carting · Horseback Riding · Surfing · Caving · Bicycle Riding
Also check out websites such as REI Family Adventure and the American Outdoor Association for safety tips and ideas.
Traditional Children’s Games
Simon Says · Thumb War · Dodge Ball · Duck-Duck-Goose · Red-light/Green-light · Hopscotch · Red Rover · Jump Rope · Four Square · Hide and Seek · Mother May I · Tag
Sports
Basketball · Tennis · Badminton · Frisbee · Miniature Golf · Bowling · Swimming · Kickball · Swimming · Wiffleball · Volleyball · Croquet · Racquetball
Indoor Activities
Board Games · Cooking · Card Games · Indoor Playgrounds · Arcade
Also try interactive video games for Wii and Xbox gaming systems. They are great ways to engage in physical activity and family fun.
Do you have an activity to add to our list? Share it with other readers in our
comments section!
