In some areas, it is possible to find a regular homeschool gym class that offers a well-rounded Physical Education program. Local studios, gyms, recreation departments and YMCAs may offer classes or teams in swimming, dance, martial arts and more. In many places, though, it can be a bit tougher to make sure that your children get enough exercise.
For those who live outside of the city, who can't afford to pay high class fees, or who simply don't need another three days of running around, here are a few ideas for having a fun gym class at home.
Indoor Exercise
Dance – Just turn on the music and move! Use music from the historical period that you're studying if you like.
Take turns leading exercise – For a nice active break from studies, try allowing each child to pick an exercise and lead it. For instance, one child might lead 12 jumping jacks, while another might choose to have everyone else follow her while skipping or crab-walking around the room. This is wonderful for wiggly children. A variation is leading the kids in toe-touches or a dance move while reciting the multiplication tables.
Tumbling – Basic gymnastics can be done on a blanket or yoga mat.
DVDs – There are many children's exercise DVDs available.
Mini weights sets from garage sale, or made from plastic milk jugs and water or sand. Go gently on weights with younger children, since they are more easily injured.
Outdoor Exercise
Backyard games – soccer, kickball, croquet, Frisbee, softball, etc. Make friends with some neighborhood kids and play with a yard full.
Gardening – Have fun, get exercise, spend time outdoors, and save money at the same time!
Other yard chores – Mowing, shoveling snow, raking leaves, planting trees and so on. Check local media for dates of park clean-ups for a community service project.
Outside pretend play – Build a treehouse (great use of math and measuring skills!), make a cornstalk teepee after you've harvested your luscious ears in your garden, build a snow castle or fort.
Get moving – Walking, biking, skating, swimming, Volksmarches or geocaching.
Exercise Electronics
Wii Fit – This fun, varied game encourages your kids to get up and get moving. It has a variety of activities to develop strength, balance, aerobic fitness and flexibility. Each child may have his own account, but it's fun to play together also, though only one person will have her scores recorded. The main negative is that the weight levels are designed for adults, not for children, and judgments about under or overweight will be skewed.
Dance, Dance Revolution – This fun, fast-paced game can be used for children from toddlerhood to teens. There's even a Disney version for little ones.
These activities are great boredom-busters, which contribute to your children's health and well-being. They can also be charted as time spent in school, since physical activity is (or should be) part of a well-rounded education. If one of your children is having trouble paying attention, try having frequent "wiggle breaks" to get some of the excess energy out of his system. Just set a timer for ten minutes and dance, exercise or run. Your school day will be all the more peaceful for it!
