Workout

For Christmas, the boys got some kid-sized workout equipment…they loved going on the elliptical machine (I didn’t turn it on, but they could make it move on their own). They also loved the exercise bike we had down in our basement playroom.  We gave them their own little air walker and those big exercise balls. They also loved lifting weights and jumping on the individual trampoline we had.

Especially on days when the weather is awful, it’s nice to have some indoor options to blow off steam and get some exercise.  When the kids were smaller, I used to make them obstacle courses out of things around the house.  They can walk on bubble wrap like a balance beam (you may need to secure it to the floor with painter’s tape). They can jump over stuffed animals and wind their way through a maze of couch cushions.  We used to have one of those pop-up tunnels too, so that was usually in the mix. If you’re interested google ideas for preschool obstacle courses.

However you do it, getting your child some physical activity at their ability level is a great way to keep them happy and tire them out when it finally is time to head off to bed. The research really does show that people who exercise have better mood, mental health and physical fitness. Sweat, smile, repeat.