Staying Fit

No more duck, duck, goose for this crowd. School-age kids are more sophisticated than preschoolers when it comes to games. They can play more complex games, juggle multiple roles, and enjoy the challenge of figuring out strategies.

Getting Started

Some kids will take as much active play as they can get, while others enjoy less. Whether it’s a birthday party or a summer picnic, games are a great way to involve all kids in being active. Grade school is a time of building identity and self-esteem, so encourage every kid in your group to enjoy the game and find ways to make sure that everyone is able to participate.

The following games are great for any outdoor event, and we’ve included some rainy-day games too.

Game: Snake in the Gutter

Number of kids: 6 or more.

How the game is played: Depending on the number of kids, make at least three kids the snakes. Have the snakes form the gutter by standing in a line with wide spaces between them, facing the rest of the kids, who should be at a distance. The adult in charge (or a child) yells, “Snake in the gutter!” The children attempt to run through the gutter without being tagged by a snake. Those who get tagged are now snakes and stay in the gutter. Those who make it through can make another run through the gutter. But anyone who was tagged must join the snakes. Continue the game until everyone has been caught.

Tips for adults: If a child is fearful of making a run through the gutter, help him or her brainstorm a way to get through (or partner two kids up to make a plan).

What the game teaches: Agility, problem-solving.

Game: Giants, Wizards, and Elves

Number of kids: at least 4, but best for larger groups.

How the game is played: This is a whole-body game based on Rock, Paper, Scissors. Before you begin, explain these rules to the players:

• Giants conquer wizards. To be a giant, raise your arms high above your head.
• Wizards conquer elves. To be a wizard, make a triangle with your arms over your head (like a wizard hat).
• Elves conquer giants. To be an elf, place your hands alongside your ears with index fingers extended.

Divide the kids into two teams with a space of about 4 feet between them. Direct each team to retreat a few feet for a huddle to decide which they will be: giants, wizards, or elves.

In their huddles, each team decides what they will be, plus a backup choice. Then they come back to their 4-feet-apart stance. On a count of three, each team yells what they are. If one team yells “Elves!” and the other yells “Wizards!,” the wizard team will chase the elves to their safe zone (you can mark these with cones or use a tree or other found object). Anyone who is tagged becomes part of the opposing team. If both teams yell the same creature, they do it over using their backup choice.

Tips for adults: A simper version of this game, called Crows and Cranes, works well for younger children. In this variation, the adult designates one team as Crows and the other as Cranes. The teams line up in the same fashion as above. The adult chooses the chaser team by yelling either “Crows!” or “Cranes!” The identical sounds at the beginning of the words add to the suspense as the teams wait to find out who will chase and who will flee.

What the game teaches: Agility, listening skills, teamwork.

Game: Ready, Aim, Throw!

Number of kids: at least 4.

How the game is played: You’ll need several blindfolds and a few soft balls (foam balls are good choices). The children partner up, and one kid in each pair is blindfolded. The partner who can see leads the blindfolded partner by the arm.

The object of the game is to get the blindfolded partner to throw the ball at another blindfolded player, then to get the second blindfolded partner to pick it up and throw it at another blindfolded player. If a player is hit twice, the pair is out and heads to the sidelines to watch the game. Kids can help their blindfolded partners defend by telling them when to duck or move in a particular direction.

Tips for adults: Before playing, remind kids that safety is important. Have the blindfolded kids walk with hands up in front of them for “bumpers” to avoid collisions. Demonstrate how to lead a partner by the arm and direct him or her to the ball: “Go forward three steps. Now squat down and reach out with your left hand.”

Remind the kids to tune in to their partner’s voice. Also, be sure that kids aren’t throwing the balls at very close range. For a fun variation, have kids lead partners without touching, only with the voice. When you’ve played once, switch the blindfold to the other player. This game can also be played by a group of adults!

What this game teaches: Teamwork, listening, motor skills.

Tag Games

Most of us probably remember playing tag as kids, chasing everyone amid shouts of “Tag, you’re it!” Tag is a great outdoor game, providing kids with great exercise and lots of excitement. You can use these variations for anywhere from four kids to larger groups.

Game: Blob Tag

How the game is played: When the tagger tags someone, they join hands to form a tagging pair. They now chase while holding hands, moving as a “blob.” When they tag someone else, that person joins hands and becomes part of the tagging blob. The members of the tagging blob have to work together to keep moving in the same direction to achieve their goal.

Tips for adults: Break up groups of four into two-person blobs to minimize confusion and stepped-on toes.

Game: Tunnel Tag

Tunnel tag is a variation on freeze tag. In freeze tag, kids “freeze” in the position they’re in when tagged. In tunnel tag, someone has to crawl through a child’s feet to “unfreeze” him or her so they can rejoin the game.

Game: Vegetable/Fruit Tag

How the game is played: When a tagger approaches a child in this game, he or she must squat down and say the name of a vegetable or fruit for protection. If the tagger gets you first, you also become “it.”

Game: Band-Aid Tag

How the game is played: In this variation, when a child is tagged, he or she places a hand on the spot that was tagged. The child must keep a hand on that spot for the rest of the game. If the child gets tagged a second time, a hand must be placed on the second spot. Now the child has used up all the band-aids. If tagged a third time, the child must go to the “hospital” (the sidelines) and do five jumping jacks to “get well” and rejoin the game.

What the game teaches: Motor skill, agility, and teamwork.

Rainy-Day Games

Game: Bottle Bowling

Number of kids: 2, 4, or 6.

How the game is played: For this game, you’ll need several empty two-liter soda bottles and a few balls (smaller ones like tennis balls are best). Line the bottles up in a row. Divide the group of kids in half, one group standing on either side of the bottles at a distance. Each team gets a chance to try and knock down the bottles as quickly as they can. The adult times the kids and names the winner.

Tips for adults: Another version of this game uses clear bottles and green bottles. The team on one side tries to knock down clear bottles, and the other team knocks down the green ones. Kids may add their own rules to this game, such as a penalty for knocking down the wrong color. Go with the flow, making sure everyone understands any additional rules that pop up.

What the game teaches: Motor skills, teamwork.

Game: Scavenger Hunt

Number of kids: 1 to 4 (more if you are playing outside).

How the game is played: Gather some easily recognizable objects and hide them around a couple rooms of the house. Give each child a list of items to look for and clues to help them find the objects.

Tips for adults: You can pair kids up or assign teams to play. This game also works well outdoors provided you set some boundaries (the edges of the yard, certain spots in the park) for the kids to work inside.

What the game teaches: Problem-solving, teamwork.

Toddlers don’t like to sit still. They wriggle from your grasp and want to be free. That’s tiring for parents, but very good for kids. Toddlers naturally enjoy doing what is healthiest for them — being as active as possible.

Experts say that kids between 12 to 36 months old should get at least 30 minutes of structured physical activity (adult-led) and at least 60 minutes of unstructured physical activity (free play) every day. And toddlers shouldn’t be inactive for more than 1 hour at a time, except when they’re sleeping.

At Home

You’re in the driver’s seat when you’re with your child. To limit sedentary time, don’t let your toddler spend too much time in strollers, car seats, and high chairs. All these can keep kids from being active enough.

Limiting TV time is another good way to keep kids physically active. TV watching, including videos and DVDs, is not recommended at all for kids under age 2. Those guidelines relax for older toddlers, but kids don’t need to watch any TV. Even educational programs aren’t as enriching as real-life activities, such as figuring out how a toy works, playing games, or singing songs together.

If you choose to allow some TV time for your older toddler, try to follow this guideline: No more than 1 to 2 hours of quality children’s programming per day. Another option is age-appropriate videos, especially those that invite kids to play along.

Here are some tips for keeping toddlers active:

Away From Home

If your toddler spends time with a caregiver or at a childcare center, it’s important to investigate how much activity the kids get:

• Do they go outside most days?
• Is there a schedule of activities they adhere to?
• Do they watch videos or TV, and if so, how much and how often?

Another option is a playgroup, which is a great way to get kids together for some active time. A playgroup is also a welcome change of pace for stay-at-home parents, who benefit from the social time with other moms and dads. The parents could plan some time for structured group activities, such as playing a game, and let the kids do their own thing for some of the time. Meeting at a playground or large, indoor space is ideal.

If you’ve ever seen a group of toddlers playing, you may have noticed that they don’t seem to be interacting as much as older kids do. Still, be assured they enjoy this time together. Eventually, they will start playing in more cooperative ways.

Provide a Safe Environment

Wherever a toddler is being active, the play area must be safe. At home, use gates and other safety equipment to make at least one room in the house safe enough for a toddler to explore. Away from home, look for childcare facilities and playgrounds that have newer, age-appropriate equipment that’s not too big or challenging for your toddler. Also, ask about whether kids are separated by age — a practice that helps prevent injuries.

But no matter how “safe” the environment, there’s no substitute for supervision. Many toddlers seem to subscribe to the “no fear” philosophy and may climb to the top of the monkey bars without reservation.

Close supervision is important because even though toddlers show improving skills, they lack sufficient balance, coordination, and judgment. In other words, keep a close eye and be there to catch them!

My 15-year-old daughter has been exercising multiple times a day and it’s beginning to take over her life. Can this be bad for her?
– Alysanne

Excessive exercising can indeed be detrimental to your daughter’s health. Over-exercising, often associated with eating disorders, can lead to tendon, ligament, bone, cartilage, joint, and muscle damage — and even disruption of the menstrual cycle. Feeling a compulsive need to exercise and having intense feelings of guilt or anxiety over a missed workout are common signs in a teen who over-exercises.

If you think your daughter may be exercising excessively, talk to your doctor for advice. He or she can better evaluate the situation and help you and your daughter find the best way to deal with the situation.

Being Active Every Day

Most of us know that kids are supposed to get at least 60 minutes of physical activity a day. And 1 hour spent being active sounds like a pretty easy goal, doesn’t it?

But as kids get older, increasing demands on their time can make getting that hour of exercise a challenge. Also, some kids get caught up in sedentary pursuits like watching TV, playing video games, and surfing the Internet. Even doing a lot of studying and reading, while important, can add to a lack of physical activity.

On top of that, during these years kids often come to a fork in the road with sports. Those who are athletic might end up increasing their time and commitment to sports, which is great for their physical fitness. But more casual athletes may lose interest and decide to quit teams and leagues. Unless they find replacement activities, their physical activity levels tend to go way down.

But being active is a key part of good health for all school-age kids. Exercise strengthens their muscles and bones and ensures that their bodies are capable of doing normal kid stuff, like lifting a backpack or running a race. It also helps control their weight and decreases their risk of chronic illnesses, such as high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes.

Keeping Kids Motivated

So how do you get kids motivated to be active, especially those who aren’t natural athletes?

Kids can be fit even if they’re not winning sports trophies. The key is finding activities they enjoy. The options are many — from inline skating and bike riding to tennis and swimming.

When kids find an activity that’s fun, they’ll do it a lot, get better at it, feel accomplished, and want to do it even more. Likewise, if they’re pushed into activities they don’t like, they’re unlikely to want to participate and will end up frustrated and will feel like exercising is a chore.

Stick to Basics for 6- to 8-Year-Olds

Expose younger kids to a variety of activities, games, and sports. Keep the focus on fun. A mix of activities at home and at school is often ideal. And be sure to include some free time for kids to make their own decisions about what to do.

At this age, kids are still mastering basic physical skills, such as jumping, throwing, kicking, and catching. It will take a few more years before most can combine these skills the way many 11-year-olds can (for instance, being able to scoop up a baseball, run toward the base, and throw the ball — all in one fluid motion). So if your child is on a sports team, make sure you and the coaches are setting realistic expectations.

Such expectations are also important when it comes to how much kids can handle mentally. Younger kids often are not ready for the pressure of competition, nor can they grasp complex strategy. Look for teams, leagues, and classes that stress the basics and provide encouragement and praise for kids as they improve their skills.

Done correctly, team sports and other group activities can teach kids a lot about teamwork and good sportsmanship.

9- to 12-Year-Olds Are More Coordinated

Older school-age kids usually have mastered basic skills and can start enjoying the benefits of being more coordinated. That means a kid who likes basketball isn’t wildly throwing the ball at the basket anymore, but is perfecting the free throw.

They’re also better able to understand the rules. Parents of kids involved in team sports might want to talk about handling setbacks and losses, and remind kids that sports should still be fun even as competition heats up.

Whether it’s soccer or ballet, if your child doesn’t enjoy an activity or feels frustrated by failure, it may be time to switch to something else. That doesn’t mean the time spent on those activities was wasted. Instead, ask which ones your child would like to try next. Achieving this transition smoothly, without making a child feel like a failure, can prevent negative feelings about sports and physical activity in general.

Help Kids Find Their Niche

When choosing activities, consider a child’s interests, abilities, and body type. A bigger child might be suited for football because size is an advantage. A smaller child might succeed at baseball or might consider a non-team sport.

Also, consider temperament. A mild-mannered boy who might not be comfortable playing football may like the challenge of karate. Likewise, an active girl might not have the patience and control required for ballet, but is well-suited to a fast-paced activity, like soccer.

Personality traits and athletic ability combine to influence a child’s attitude toward participation in sports and other physical activities. Which of these three types best describes your child?

Nonathletes: These kids may lack athletic ability, dislike physical activity, or both. By this age, kids are aware of these differences and some may have even been teased about them. The danger for them is not leaving one activity that didn’t work out; it’s abandoning all physical activity altogether.

Casual athletes: These kids are interested in being active but aren’t star players, so are at risk of getting discouraged in a competitive athletic environment. Most kids fall into this category, but in a culture that is obsessed with winning, it’s easy to overlook them as athletes. Encourage them to remain active even though they aren’t top performers.

Athletes: These kids have athletic ability, are committed to a sport or activity, and are likely to ramp up practice time and intensity of competition. Some are happily settled in a sport or activity by the older school-age years. In this case, a parent can continue to support the child’s efforts while still watching for any changes. It’s important to ensure that athletes manage schoolwork, get enough rest, and still enjoy the sport. Continue to let your child try out new things and enjoy a variety of physical activities.

Parents Can Make a Difference

Kids look to parents for guidance, support, and encouragement. It’s very important to set a good example, so don’t groan about your own exercise — make it a priority and look for chances to be physically active as a family.

Preschoolers have a lot of energy, which they use in a more organized way than when they were toddlers. Instead of just running around in the backyard, a preschooler has the physical skills and coordination to ride a tricycle or chase a butterfly.

Preschoolers also are discovering what it means to play with a friend instead of just alongside another child, as toddlers do. By being around other kids, a preschooler gains important social skills, such as sharing and taking turns. Despite occasional conflicts, preschoolers learn to cooperate and interact during play.

Helping Kids Learn New Skills

Preschoolers develop important motor skills as they grow. New skills your preschooler might show off include hopping, jumping forward, catching a ball, doing a somersault, skipping, and balancing on one foot. Help your child practice these skills by playing and exercising together.

When you go for a walk, your preschooler may complain about being tired but most likely is just bored. A brisk walk can be dull for young kids, so try these tips to liven up your family stroll:

• Make your walk a scavenger hunt by giving your child something to find, like a red door, a cat, a flag, and something square.
• Sing songs or recite nursery rhymes while you walk.
• Mix walking with jumping, racing, hopping, and walking backward.
• Make your walk together a mathematical experience as you emphasize numbers and counting: How many windows are on the garage door? What numbers are on the houses?

These kinds of activities are fun and also help to prepare kids for school.

How Much Activity Is Enough?

Physical activity guidelines for preschoolers recommend that each day:

• they get at least 60 minutes of structured (adult-led) physical activity
• they get at least 60 minutes of unstructured (free play) physical activity
• they not be inactive for more than 1 hour at a time unless sleeping

Limit screen — time spent watching TV (including videos and DVDs), on the computer, and playing video games — to no more than 1-2 hours per day.

Structured Play

Preschoolers are likely to get structured play at childcare or in preschool programs through games like “Duck, Duck, Goose” and “London Bridge.” Consider enrolling your child in a preschool tumbling or dance class.

Your preschooler can get structured outdoor play at home, too. Play together in the backyard or practice motor skills, such as throwing and catching a ball. Preschoolers also love trips to the playground.

Though many kids love being outdoors, lots of fun things can be organized indoors: a child-friendly obstacle course, a treasure hunt, or forts made out sheets and boxes or chairs. Designate a play area and clear the space of any breakables.

Here are some more ideas for structured play:

• play bounce catch
• use paper airplanes to practice throwing
• balance a beanbag on your heads while walking — make this more challenging by setting up a simple slalom course
• play freeze dance
• play wheelbarrow by holding your child’s legs while he or she walks forward on hands

Many parents are eager to enroll their preschool child in organized sports. Although some leagues may be open to kids as young as 4 years old, organized and team sports are not recommended until kids are a little older. Preschoolers can’t understand complex rules and often lack the attention span, skills, and coordination needed to play sports.

If you decide to enroll your preschooler in an organized team sport, such as T-ball or soccer, make sure the focus is on helping kids gain basic physical skills, like running, and fundamental social skills, like following rules and taking turns.

If your preschooler is not ready for the team or not interested in sports, consider helping him or her continue to work on fundamental skills — hopping on one foot, catching a ball, doing a somersault, and maybe riding a bicycle or tricycle.

To teach preschoolers to play baseball, start by teaching them basic skills, such as throwing, catching, and hitting off a T-ball stand. Then, if you play a game of wiffle ball, don’t worry if your child doesn’t tag first base — it’s enough to get kids running in the right direction.

Unstructured Play

Unstructured or free play is when kids are left more to their own devices — within a safe environment. During these times, they should be able to choose from a variety of physical activities, such as exploring, playing outside, or dancing around the kitchen.

During pretend play, preschoolers often like to take on a gender-specific role because they are beginning to identify with members of the same gender. A girl might pretend to be her mother by “working” in the garden, while a boy might mimic his dad by pretending to cut the lawn.

It’s clear your preschooler is keeping an eye on how you spend your time, so set a good example by exercising regularly. Kids who pick up on this as something parents do will naturally want to do it, too.

Safety Concerns

No matter what type of physical activity your child gets, it’s important to keep safety concerns in mind. Remember that preschoolers are still developing coordination, balance, and judgment.

So as preschoolers play, a parent’s challenge is to find a balance between letting them try new things and keeping them safe and preventing injuries.

• A child on a tricycle or bike should always wear a helmet.
• If you haven’t done so already, it’s time to talk about street safety because even the most cautious preschooler may dart into the street after a ball.
• A preschooler in a swimming pool needs constant adult supervision, even if he or she has learned to swim.

It’s a tricky age because kids want more independence, and should have some, but cannot be left unsupervised. Preschoolers still need their parents to set limits.

Giving kids safe opportunities to play in both organized and unstructured ways builds a foundation for a fit lifestyle that can carry them through life.

Ready to Explore

Kids ages 3-5 have tons of energy and are eager to walk, run, dance, and play. It’s a great age for exploration too. Preschoolers learn a lot when given the chance to investigate their environments (with supervision, of course).

There’s much for preschoolers to explore. Now that they’re older, they can focus their energy and tackle more complex activities like playing dress-up, riding trikes, planting seeds, or building something out of snow.

With patience and some imagination, you can help your preschooler be a safe and happy explorer.

Encouraging Exploration

Here are some things to keep in mind:

Hang back. Resist the urge to give your child too many directions or too much correction. Try offering encouragement instead. If your child wants to use her shoe as a hat or a pretend teacup, so be it. The language you use can make a difference. Say, “That makes a great hat!” or “How does that tea taste?”

If your child is doing something unsafe, gently correct or distract. For example, explain the real use of an object (“The pot is for cooking, not bonking your little brother”), then encourage exploration of more acceptable uses for it, such as getting a spoon and using the pot as a drum or to make a pretend soup.

You can suggest ideas for play, but chances are your child may have a different activity in mind — or might stumble onto something intriguing. Allowing kids some time without intervention can help them develop their creativity and learn to master tasks on their own.

Mistakes are OK. Trial-and-error is a brilliant teacher. Letting go enough to let your child fail in a small way (like being unsuccessful at working a zipper) is good for both of you. When your child begins to do something incorrectly and gets frustrated, offer encouragement. You also can provide opportunities to keeping working at the skill that’s being mastered. Then one day soon, your child will be zippering like a champ.

Activity Ideas for Preschoolers

You don’t have to go anywhere special to encourage exploration. Here are some easy ways to do it:

Splash It Up

Kids at this age love water and wet sensations. Find safe household items or look for stuff in the yard that could be washed and examined. What happens to a leaf when it gets wet? What about a rock? Set them up in an area that can get wet — outside, in the bathtub, at a table with a waterproof cloth on it and the floor below — and let them wash, rinse, dunk, and splash! As always, be sure to supervise kids closely during water play.

Please Touch

Making “touch bowls” of things like corn kernels, flour, dried beans, rice, dry spiral pasta, or sand can give children interesting things to feel, grasp, dump, and pour. Be sure to supervise so no one tries to eat what’s in the bowls.

Act It Out

Preschoolers also enjoy role-playing games. Provide safe props for everyday tasks like going grocery shopping, cooking dinner, or going to work. And give them a box of old clothes, hats, and other accessories so they can dress whatever part they’re playing.

Create a Work of Art

It may end up being abstract art, but that’s OK. Fill a “creation box” with drawing materials, stickers, clay, pipe cleaners, straws, and blocks. Lay down newspaper inside, or on a warm day, let them create outdoors.

Watch Nature

With child-safe binoculars and a magnifying glass, kids can explore the great outdoors. This can work in your backyard in or any nature-rich environment.

When it’s safe to do so, let your child lead the way. Stay a pace or two behind and let your child make the discoveries. It’s fun when mom or dad points out a ladybug scooting across a leaf. But if you’re a preschooler, it’s even more fun when you can call out, “Hey, Mom. Look at this!”

On the Move

Toddlers — it’s hard to imagine a more fitting name for this stage of development. Between the ages of 1 and 3, toddlers are literally scooting away from babyhood in search of new adventures. They’re learning to talk, to walk and run, and to assert their independence. For many in this age group, “outside” and “play” are becoming common requests.

As a parent, you’re focused on keeping your little one safe. Supervision and safety precautions, such as gates and electrical outlet covers, are important.

But you’ll also want to offer your toddler chances to explore. That means close supervision but with opportunities to enjoy different environments. From a walk in the woods to a trip to a museum, parents can give kids the space and freedom to investigate, which is an important part of helping them grow.

Why Explore?

Exploring the inside and outside world — with supervision, of course — is important for toddlers’ emotional, social, and physical development. They learn more about the world and how it works. It’s one thing to see an orange, but it’s another to hold it in your hand, feel its cool, smooth surface, smell its fragrance, maybe even taste it. That development is all the better if you ask questions: What color is it? Is it big or little?

Exploring also gives toddlers a chance to work on important motor skills. Whether it’s kicking a ball or climbing stairs, they can persist until they get it right. Doing so not only adds skills, it boosts their sense of confidence and competence. In other words, they begin to think: “I can do it!”

Letting kids explore is one way to see that toddlers get enough daily physical activity. Exploring fits well in that free-play category below. For kids 12- to 36-months-old, current guidelines from the National Association for Sports & Physical Education (NASPE) recommend:

• at least 30 minutes of structured physical activity (adult-led)
• at least 60 minutes unstructured physical activity (free play)

Ideas for Exploring Inside

Possibilities for indoor amusement are endless; here are just a few:

• Mirror, mirror. At this stage, kids learn to recognize themselves in pictures or mirrors. Securely set up a mirror at eye level and let your child explore his or her own face. Ask “Where’s your nose?” or “Can you open your mouth?” Fill a small photo album with pictures of relatives and friends that you can look through together or let your child look at on his or her own. Toddlers also enjoy imitating the behavior of others. Try playing physical or verbal imitation games.
• Kid-friendly cabinets. Turn some low-lying cabinets into exploration shelves, stacked with things a toddler can pull out, bang together, and shake around. Though the items are child-safe, be sure to supervise.
• Tactile toys. Toddlers love to use their sense of touch. Set your older toddler up with some Play-Doh (store-bought or homemade), finger paint, or other age-appropriate materials that can safely be squeezed, patted, poked, and prodded. Younger toddlers will like wrapping paper, wax paper, or textured toys that are fun to touch and crinkle.
• Household toy box. To encourage imagination, create a toy box with dolls, safe housekeeping items like clean sponges or brushes, dress-up clothes, and toy telephones (without dangerous cords). Plastic containers with lids, plastic cups and plates, and just about anything you can stack, pile, fill and empty, or nest also make great toys for toddlers.
• Climbing mount staircase. Many toddlers like to climb stairs. Go up and down together on carpeted stairs, but be sure to replace gates when you are done. On flat ground, depending on your child’s age and abilities, practice walking backwards or on tiptoes. Imitate animals (walk like a penguin, jump like a kangaroo, etc.) or dance to music.

Outside Exploring

• Play ball. Have a variety of balls around to play with. During the toddler years, kids learn to kick, throw, and catch balls.
• Beach it. Even just in the backyard, water and sand are great tactile attractions for toddlers. Create a water table or use a small basin or bucket to float boats, use other water toys, and splash around. Create a sandbox or take kids to the beach to let them feel sand on their toes and fingers. Always supervise kids around water, and dump out water from containers when you’re done. Be sure to cover sandboxes when not in use to keep pets and other animals from contaminating them.
• Examine nature. Encourage your child to pick up leaves and rocks, feel the bark on trees, and collect bugs.
• Chalk it up. Sidewalk chalk comes in big sizes, perfect for the toddler grip. Their “drawings” are abstract at best, but they’ll delight in watching their scribblings appear.
• Make a lunch date. Group expeditions that bring a bunch of toddlers together in an open space —a park, gym, recreation center, or someone’s backyard — can be fun for adults and kids. The kids might not interact much at this age, but they’re learning to and are eager to see other faces and kids.

Tips for Safe and Happy Exploration

Supervise, but step back. Pay attention to your urges to help. After providing the materials your child needs, fight the urge to overmanage the activity. If your child wants to bang blocks together, don’t intervene unless there’s the chance that someone might get hurt.

Correct, when necessary. If your child does something dangerous, unhealthy, or destructive — walking with pens, eating crayons, or throwing stones, for example — gently instruct him or her about the proper use of the object: “Chairs are for sitting, not standing” or “You can bang the spoon on the pot, but it’s not for hitting other things or people.” Try not to react more strongly than the situation calls for. Toddlers often will push the boundaries and ignore your initial request. If gently dissuading them doesn’t work, try to distract them with other activities and items.

Remember: “It’s all about the journey.” Anyone who’s tried walking a child to the library or a friend’s house knows that the journey there is full of distractions and stops. Kids often want to examine everyday items most of us overlook. Bugs, rocks, lawn ornaments, fallen leaves, parked cars — they’re all fascinating to toddlers. Encourage them to touch bark, examine twigs, watch spiders, or look at the colors of lights and shop signs, watch doors opening and closing, trucks idling, and people boarding buses.

As parents, you might feel impatient to get busy and get your child to the activity you’ve planned. You want to get started “doing something.” But to kids, this exploration is doing something. Rather than rushing along, take a deep breath and make new discoveries together.

What Kind of Activity?

There’s nothing cuter than a bunch of preschoolers playing T-ball or soccer, but is it the best way for them to be active? Probably not.

Team sports offer a chance for preschoolers to meet each other and get some exercise, but can be too complicated. Even simple rules may be hard for a 4- or 5-year-old to understand. If you’ve ever watched your child run the wrong way during a game, you already know this.

The average preschooler has not mastered sports basics such as throwing, catching, and taking turns. This can be frustrating and may discourage future participation in sports. If you do decide to enroll your child in soccer or another team sport, choose a peewee league that emphasizes the fundamentals.

The coach’s attitude and the way other parents approach the game are also important. Above all, a team activity should be fun, not upsetting. If your child isn’t having fun, ask why and try to address the issue or find another activity.

If you haven’t signed your child up for a team sport yet, don’t worry. Myths persist about how kids need a “head start” if they want to be competitive when they’re older. But kids who learn the fundamentals and like being active can readily catch on to sports when they’re a little older.

Keeping Preschoolers Active

If sports aren’t a must, what should be on a preschooler’s schedule? Engage your child in activities that are fun and challenging, but not beyond his or her abilities. Preschoolers are learning to hop, skip, and jump forward, and like to show how they can balance on one foot for a few seconds, catch a ball, or do a somersault.

They also may enjoy swimming, hiking, dancing, and riding a tricycle or bicycle with training wheels. All of these activities help develop skills and coordination. It’s important for preschoolers to engage in a variety of activities to encourage a wide range of movement and skills.

The National Association of Sports and Physical Education (NASPE) recommends that every day preschoolers should:

• get at least 60 minutes of structured physical activity (adult-led activity)
• get at least 60 minutes of unstructured physical activity (free play)
• not be inactive for more than 1 hour at a time (unless sleeping)

Adult-led activity means that you can get involved. Kids love seeing their parents play. Doing so also shows that being active is part of the normal routine for your family. Running, playing, and practicing basic skills, such as throwing, catching and kicking balls in the backyard or using playground equipment at a local park can be fun for the entire family.

Other activities to try with your preschooler (or for preschoolers to do together):

• Play games such as “Duck, Duck, Goose” or “Follow the Leader.” Mix it up with jumping, hopping, and walking backward.
• Kick a ball back and forth or set up a goal for your child.
• Practice hitting a ball off a T-ball stand.
• Play freeze dance or freeze tag.
• Practice balancing by pretending to be statues.

Kids who enjoy physical activity tend to stay active throughout their lives. And staying fit can improve self-esteem, help maintain a healthy weight, and decrease the risk of serious illnesses such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease.

The Benefits of Sports

Organized sports can help kids grow in many ways. From soccer to fencing, sports offer chances for kids to:

• learn and master skills
• work with their peers and coaches
• challenge themselves in a safe environment
• learn the value of practice and the challenge of competition

And on top of all that, sports provide fun opportunities for kids to be active.

But before signing your kids up for sports, consider each child’s age, personality, and abilities to help make sure that being involved in sports is a positive experience for everyone.

When Should Kids Start Playing Sports?

As you think about signing kids up for organized sports, consider how emotionally and physically ready they are to participate. If they’re too young or not ready, it will be frustrating for everyone, and can turn kids off from sports for good.

Although there are sports programs designed for preschoolers, it’s not until about age 6 or 7 that most kids develop the physical skills and attention span that most sports need. Preschoolers can throw and run, but it usually takes some time before they can coordinate the two skills. And it may not be until kindergarten or first grade before kids understand the rules of the game.

That doesn’t mean kids can’t play sports when they’re younger. Sports can be fun for toddlers and kindergartners, but these should be less about competition and more about learning skills and having fun while being active. So even if young kids inadvertently score a goal for the other team or spend the entire game chasing butterflies, as long as they’re enjoying it, that’s OK.

If you do decide to sign your 5-year-old up for a team, be sure to choose a league that emphasizes fun and basic skills.

Choosing the Right Sport

When choosing a sport, consider your child’s unique temperament. Some kids are naturally inclined toward team sports, while others may feel more comfortable in activities where the focus is on individual efforts. There’s something for everyone — from soccer and baseball for team-oriented kids, to tennis, fencing, karate, dancing, and swimming for kids who’d rather go solo.

Don’t be surprised if it takes a few tries — or a few seasons — to find the sport that’s right for your child. It often takes time for kids to figure out which activities they enjoy.

Some kids may just not be interested in team sports, but they can still keep fit by engaging in other activities that don’t emphasize competition. No matter what they choose, kids should be physically active for at least 60 minutes a day.

Before Signing Up

Kids should have a physical examination before beginning any sports or fitness program. Those with certain medical conditions, vision or hearing problems, or other disorders may have difficulty playing some sports. Rarely, a doctor may find an undiagnosed condition that can affect participation.

Although you should share your interests with your kids, it’s never a good idea to force them into an activity just because you once enjoyed it. And once they choose a sport, be sure to head out to the field, gym, or pool to cheer them on.

Family Factors

When kids show an interest in sports, it’s important to think about how practices and games might affect their day-to-day life — and yours:

• How will it affect how much time your child has for things like homework, other activities, and time with friends and family? You may want to get the schedule of practices and games and map out a typical week on a calendar with your child.
• It’s important for kids to have downtime to rest, think creatively, and play freely when they’re not engaged in something else. This can help give them the energy they need for their activities.
• How will the sport affect the rest of the family’s plans? Many teams only practice and play games during the weekend, which can be a problem if your family likes weekend getaways.
• If you have more than one child playing sports, how will you coordinate transportation to practices and games?
• How involved do you want to be in the sport, and how involved does your child want you to be? Sports leagues usually look for parents to volunteer with everything from coaching to team snacks and transportation. Being involved — either as a coach or in another role — can be a great way to spend time with your kids and show them you’re interested in what they do.

When Kids Want to Quit

However kids feel when they enroll for a season of sports, there may come a time when they want to quit. If your child comes to you with this plea, try to find the reason behind it. It might have to do with something small and fixable, like a bad-fitting uniform, or it may be a bigger issue, like how comfortable your child feels with the coach or the kids on the team. It could also be that your child just doesn’t enjoy the sport.

Is it OK to let kids quit? If your child is on a team that depends on his or her participation, you may want to explain the importance of sticking it out for the season. If that’s not the case, then think about what you want your child to get out of the experience, and how quitting would affect that.

When kids are overscheduled or unhappy, quitting may be the right thing. But it’s still important for all kids to be physically active every day, even if they’re no longer playing an organized sport.

These are general guidelines to keep in mind. Kids mature at their own pace and develop their unique skills at different times, so consider your child’s emotional and physical maturity before you commit to a season of sports. There’s no point in forcing sports on kids of if they’re not having fun.

Emily was crying by the time the softball game ended. It wasn’t because her team had lost. It wasn’t because she was unhappy about her own playing. It wasn’t even because of anything the other team had said or done. Emily’s tears came after her dad yelled at her — in front of all her teammates — for missing the fly ball that could have saved the game. Emily is just 8 years old.

If your child has ever participated in a sport, you’ve undoubtedly met people like Emily’s dad, parents who behave inappropriately and upset their kids. These parents get so wrapped up in winning and losing or how well their own kids perform that they lose sight of what’s really important. They forget that one of the most important goals of kids’ sports is to promote a sense of good sportsmanship.

What Is Good Sportsmanship?

Good sportsmanship is when teammates, opponents, coaches, and officials treat each other with respect. Kids learn the basics of sportsmanship from the adults in their lives, especially their parents and their coaches. Kids who see adults behaving in a sportsmanlike way come to understand that the real winners in sports are those who know how to persevere and to behave with dignity — whether they win or lose a game.

Parents can help their kids understand that good sportsmanship includes both small gestures and heroic efforts. It starts with something as simple as shaking hands with opponents before a game and includes acknowledging good plays made by others and accepting bad calls gracefully.

Displaying good sportsmanship isn’t always easy: It can be tough to congratulate the opposing team after losing a close or important game. But the kids who learn how to do it will benefit in many ways.

Kids who bully or taunt others on the playing field aren’t likely to change their behavior when in the classroom or in social situations. In the same way, a child who practices good sportsmanship is likely to carry the respect and appreciation of other people into every other aspect of life.

Good Sports Are Winners

Ask first- or second-graders who won a game and they may answer, “I think it was a tie.” It’s likely the question isn’t of any real interest at that age. Kids might be more eager to talk about the hits they got or the catches they almost made.

But as they move into older and more competitive leagues, kids become more focused on winning. They often forget to have fun. Without constant reminders and good examples, they may also forget what behavior is appropriate before, during, and after a sporting event.

Kids who have coaches who care only about being in first place and say that anything goes as long as they win, pick up the message that it’s OK to be ruthless on the field. If parents constantly pressure them to play better or second-guess their every move, kids get the message that they’re only as good as their last good play — and they’ll try anything to make one.

Adults who emphasize good sportsmanship, however, see winning as just one of several goals they’d like their kids to achieve. They help young athletes take pride in their accomplishments and in their improving skills, so that the kids see themselves as winners, even if the scoreboard doesn’t show the numbers going in their favor.

The best coaches — and parents — encourage their kids to play fair, to have fun, and to concentrate on helping the team while polishing their own skills.

Fostering Good Sportsmanship

Remember the saying “Actions speak louder than words”? That’s especially true when it comes to teaching your kids the basics of good sportsmanship. Your behavior during practices and games will influence them more than any pep talk or lecture you give them.

Here are some suggestions on how to build sportsmanship in your kids:

• Unless you’re coaching your child’s team, you need to remember that you’re the parent. Shout words of encouragement, not directions, from the sidelines (there is a difference!).
• If you are your kid’s coach, don’t expect too much out of your own child. Don’t be harder on him or her than on anyone else on the team, but don’t play favorites either.
• Keep your comments positive. Don’t bad-mouth coaches, players, or game officials. If you have a serious concern about the way that games or practices are being conducted, or if you’re upset about other parents’ behavior, discuss it privately with the coach or with a league official.
• After a competition, it’s important not to dwell on who won or lost. Instead, try asking, “How did you feel you did during the game?” If your child feels weak at a particular skill, like throwing or catching, offer to work on it together before the next game.
• Applaud good plays no matter who makes them.
• Set a good example with your courteous behavior toward the parents of kids on the other team. Congratulate them when their kids win.
• Remember that it’s your kids, not you, who are playing. Don’t push them into a sport because it’s what you enjoyed. As kids get older, let them choose what sports they want to play and decide the level of commitment they want to make.
• Keep your perspective. It’s just a game. Even if the team loses every game of the season, it’s unlikely to ruin your child’s life or chances of success.
• Look for examples of good sportsmanship in professional athletes and point them out to your kids. Talk about the bad examples, too, and why they upset you.
• Finally, don’t forget to have fun. Even if your child isn’t the star, enjoy the game while you’re thinking of all the benefits your child is gaining — new skills, new friends, and attitudes that can help all through life.