Keeping the kids busy during the Easter holidays has always been a tricky task – even before we all started staying at home to keep each other safe. While those family days out to the countryside or coast – or bad-weather trips to the trampoline park or soft-play centre – can be scratched off the to-do list for a while, there’s nothing to stop us from getting active at home.
In this ‘getting active with the kids’ special series, we’ve got lots of game and activity ideas for you to try – and with the sun set to shine, we’re looking to make the most of our outdoor spaces.
What makes Body Magic so, well, magic, is that it’s all about doing activities you enjoy. So add some fun, family-friendly activity to your week and you’ll soon start feeling the amazing benefits of moving more – which is all the more important while we try to keep ourselves and our loved ones healthy and happy.
If you’re not sure how to get the whole family moving, you can count on us to help you get that Body Magic boost – and keep the little ones entertained along the way…
Fairy-tale fitness
We can get out of the house once a day to exercise and rounding up the kids for a walk, run or bike ride around a quiet area is a great way to enjoy some family time outdoors. SW Nic enjoys splashing in puddles with Dex, and you could also give your outing an imaginative twist by telling your kids that the grass is lava and must be dodged at all costs, or that they need to race back to the castle before the drawbridge shuts.
Sports day
While leisure centres may be closed, if you’ve got a big enough garden, you can bring the sports field to you. A family cricket match or a quick game of tennis will get you breathing faster and raise your heart rate. Our top tip? Use a window-friendly soft ball to avoid any accidents!
If your outdoor space is on the small side, a classic swing ball set or simple game of ‘ball against the wall’ will get you moving, even with minimal outdoor space. Blog reader Beck challenged Billy and Grace to a table tennis tournament – do we spot a mini Sir Andy Murray or Serena Williams in the making?
Hunt for treasure
An Easter egg hunt is always a hit with the kids – and it’s fantastic Body Magic for you, too. Hide the kids’ chocolate treats in a secret spot, leave some clues around the house and garden and get involved in helping to hunt them down. All that dashing up and down stairs, squatting to pick up clues and climbing to get the treasure is great exercise.
SW Rox’s little egg hunter shows off his stash!
Have a ball
Got a ball? Simple games like penalty shoot-out or ‘throw and catch’ can work up a surprisingly good sweat – and you don’t need a space the size of a football pitch. SW Rox was outplayed in a game of football on her small (but perfectly formed!) patch of grass. And if you fancy shooting some hoops but don’t have a net, an empty bucket, plant pot or bin are super alternatives.
Let’s get virtual
When the weather stops outdoor play, online activities are a great way to have fun as a family while fitting in some fitness, whether it’s a virtual PE lesson or a family yoga class. If you’re feeling really brave, how about joining the kids in learning one of the many dance video routines that are doing the rounds at the moment? They’re a brilliant way to feel fitter and have a whole lot of fun at the same time – and once you’ve perfected your moves, you can share the video with your friends and family to give them all a chuckle while they’re self-isolating.
Keep your eyes peeled for more child-friendly games and activities on the blog next week. And if you’re planning to keep moving with the kids during self-isolation, we’d love to share your activity tips on the blog or on social using #theSlimmingWorldblog