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Front Yard Games: The Whole Neighborhood is Invited!

Are your kids climbing the walls, eager to play with anything they can get their hands on? Direct those active kids to coordinate Front Yard Games: challenge all the neighborhood kids!  This will allow your kids to exam what games are feasible with different age groups, manageable to play in the front yard, and will interest the neighborhood kids to play.  Front Yard Games provide physical challenges that are both engaging and fun: kids of all ages are getting fit!

First event at these Front Yard Games: Double Dutch Jump Rope Competition.  As blogger Aarti R accounts for Double Dutch Jump Rope, “…how did the name Double Dutch jump rope get its name? It is said that Dutch settlers on the banks of the Hudson river, brought this game to America. When English arrived, they saw the children of these Dutch people playing this game and named it Double Dutch. This game became very popular since then. The National Double Dutch League hosts a tournament of this game every year and teams from all over the world participate in this tournament. This is one of the acrobatic sport performed by gymnasts. Also, this sport is played for fitness by many youngsters.” This challenge requires speed and finesse. The younger kids may have an edge in this event, since they have small, lithe bodies and are quick on their feet!

Next up on the Front Yard Games: Dance-a-thon.  Kids love moving to the beat, now they can challenge their neighbors to a dance-off! Rica Lewis commends dancing in her article, Endurance Exercises for Kids, “Dancing can be a great way for children to express themselves, have a good time and build strength and endurance at once. Dancing can be done with a group or class at a fitness center or as a part of a recreational program. The YMCA may also be an appropriate place to learn. When dancing is done in a social setting, children can make friends and practice social skills. There are many benefits to dancing, but for endurance, staying active for 30 minutes at a time should be the goal and will increase cardiovascular fitness. Purchasing a dance CD or DVD is an easy way to start.” Get the tunes playing, set a timer, and witness those bodies move-in-action! This is a great skill for kids to utilize, as it requires both balance and rhythm.

After all that dancing, the following event allows these eager participants to take a seat and hop around in this game: Hippity Hop Races.  Here is an opportunity to see how well everyone can hold on to their hippity hop as they bounce all over the front yard! Showcased in the article, 10 Fun Neighborhood Fitness Ideas, “Your kids can bounce their way to better health! Bouncing builds muscle tone, strength and endurance — and it’s great for kids of all ages. Most hippity hop balls come in different sizes, so parents can select the right ball for their child’s weight. Parents can even find a ball that fits them, so the whole family can hip and hop around the neighborhood. If you don’t currently have a hippity hop ball at home, consider investing in one. It’s an easy-to-use, low-cost toy that will provide your child with hours of fun and physical activity.” Bouncing around will delight all who are participating, while providing a great photo-opportunity! Giggles will abound from racing around on a big, bouncy ball!

For those who know how to shake their hips, this is one challenge you will have an advantage on: Hula Hoop Competition.  The trick is to not let that hula hoop’s momentum slow down! As writer Shannon Sukovaty shares in her article, How to Lose Weight Hula Hooping, “Hula hoop workouts are an excellent alternative to running, since it is low-impact and easy on your hip, knee and ankle joints. There are different kinds of hula hoops to use. The basic toy store hoop is not weighted and easier to use. Weighted hula hoops provide a more intense workout and the ability to do different moves. Choose a hoop that is the correct size for you.” This event definitely allows kids of all ages to participate. Kids can show off their moves, whether it’s movin’ their hips, neck, legs, or arms!

The last event requires the most training: Frisbee Toss.  Remember it is all in the wrist, just bend and release!  Pam Gaulin stresses this skill set in her List of Fun Exercises for Kids article, “Children who have acquired some coordination skills can be introduced to exercises involving equipment. Keep the exercise fun by finding the exercises which might pose a challenge to a child rather than be too hard. Throwing a Frisbee, for example, looks fun when it’s done right, but it can be frustrating to children who are not adept at moving their wrist in the right direction. Practice with the child, but know when they have had enough and move on to another exercise or activity.” This is one challenge that will win the most respect! The neighborhood kids will definitely appreciate the invite to your Front Yard Games!

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