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Playtime Workout for Moms and Toddlers
By Cindy | October 7, 2007
Children are a constant source of energy. Why not tap into that exuberance and join them during playtime? If you add 10, 15, 20 or 30 minutes of playtime to your day, you are sure to build upon any routines you already have in place. The benefits are more focused time with your child doing activities they love, multitasking workout and playtime, laughter and good times, and an exhausted child ready to take a nap or participate in a quiet time activity (more time for you to focus on your tasks). In one session, you’ll have played and worked out with your toddler!
With these pointers in mind, you can focus on a full body workout while playing!
- Child’s play is limitless.
- Your focused attention will bring delight and laughter to all who participate.
- Children can wear you out!
- You can wear your children out!
Playtime Workout for Moms and Toddlers
This workout only requires the body. Nursery Rhymes and children’s songs work wonders for the active toddler. Be creative and adjust activities for indoor or outdoor play.
- Ring-A-Round the Rosie: Hold hands, skip, run, or gallop in a circle. When everyone falls down, add a slow motion squat before landing. The children love to see us fall. You could probably get away with a few squats before your toddler is tugging at your arm to repeat the rhyme! Continue until toddler’s interest wanes or you’re tired of repeating the song and “falling” down.
- Bear Crawl: Show your toddler how to do the Bear crawl. Keep your bottom in the air, knees soft (do not lock your knees), bring your knees up toward your stomach as you move, and keep your arms shoulder width apart. Make it a race from one end of the room/yard to the other end. Repeat around a tree or couch.
- Crab Walk: Show your toddler how to do the Crab Walk. Keep you arms soft (do not lock your elbows), push your stomach toward the sky (as you progress, you’ll form a flat plank from shoulders to knees), and keep your legs bent 90 degrees from the floor. This is great for your abs and triceps. Race around the room or yard!
Are your arms feeling like jello? Are you breathing a bit heavier? Great! Isn’t it fun being a toddler again?
- I’m A Little Tea Pot: Here’s a stretching/less intensive activity to help you catch your breath. Switch up your arms as you repeat the rhyme.
- Stand in a semi-squat position (short and stout)
- Put one hand slightly behind your back for a shoulder stretch (handle)
- Stretch out your other hand/palm down about 45 degrees from your head (spout)
- Stretch your obliques when bending over (Tip Me Over)
- Chase: Toddlers love it when you run after them. Since we’re already pretending to move at full speed, use this as an opportunity to take quick small steps as you chase them. This is similar to a boxer’s speed work. To really entertain your kids and change up the routine, you can also run after them using high knee steps.
Cool-Down My son loves to imitate what I do. Stretching is a great opportunity to go over basic body parts. Complete a few basic stretches to include your arms, legs, and abs. Talk your toddler through the moves. You’ll be surprised at how much they understand the different parts of their body!
Let your child and imagination lead the way for a playtime workout. Next time you’re sitting and watching your child/children play, jump in and join them. You’ll feel younger and happier as you see your children’s eyes light up with delight.
Go Workout Mom!!!
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Topics: Workouts with Kids |
October 7th, 2007 at 8:26 pm
great ideas, especially the bear crawl and crab walk. Those are tough!!!
October 8th, 2007 at 12:07 am
I don’t have any kids yet but I am sure it is a great workout as they keep going and going. A great tip I have told before as I have heard it somewhere that parents should be active and play around with their kids. It is a great workout while spending time with them.
October 9th, 2007 at 6:50 am
Hi Workout Mommy, The crab walk makes me realize how tough playing little kids games can be. The bear crawl use to be one of the exercises they’d impose on us at the Academy. They are tough!
Hello Home Fitness, We sometimes get so busy trying to focus on all the things that need to be done that we miss out on combined benefits of working out and playing with the kiddos at the same time.
October 10th, 2007 at 12:46 pm
I just did this with my 2 1/2 year old. I couldn’t even keep at it for 20 minutes!!!! So, after I gave up, we put on our favorite c.d. and danced for the last 10.
It’s brilliant though! my daughter got some special, “just her” time that she has been craving and I got my work out in! Thanks for the inspiration!
October 10th, 2007 at 8:07 pm
That’s great Val! I’m glad you had a great time. It really is fun to get down and “play/workout” with them. They just laugh and laugh and laugh. In the Navy, huh?! Thanks for stopping by!