{"id":287,"date":"2009-07-11T12:07:00","date_gmt":"2009-07-11T12:07:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/parentingzoo.com\/members\/?p=287"},"modified":"2009-07-14T22:53:21","modified_gmt":"2009-07-14T22:53:21","slug":"eight-fun-games-for-preschoolers-to-keep-them-active","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/parentingzoo.com\/members\/?p=287","title":{"rendered":"Eight Fun Games for Preschoolers to Keep Them Active"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Hopscotch.\"<\/a><\/dt>\n
Image by gak<\/a> via Flickr<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Childhood obesity<\/a> is a concern for parents and health professionals alike. In an effort to combat it, doctors recommend making sure your children<\/a> learn to be active at an early age so they\u2019ll continue being active as they age. Teach your child these eight fun games for preschoolers to keep them active.<\/p>\n

1. Hopscotch<\/a> is a game that children have played for years. Draw a pattern of eight to twelve squares on the sidewalk with chalk. The children will place a rock or button in the first square, hop over the square with the rock, and then jump in the rest in sequence. At the end they\u2019ll turn around and return, picking up their rock on the way. They\u2019ll try to get the rock in each square until they get to the last one. They lose their turn if they step in the square with the rock.<\/p>\n

2. Duck Duck Goose<\/a> is another game you can play with your preschooler. Start with friends, family, or stuffed animals<\/a>, sitting in a circle. One person is chosen as \u201cIt\u201d to go around the circle, tapping each person on the head as they say \u201cduck.\u201d When they say the word \u201cgoose\u201d that person gets up and chases them around back to their place, and they become it.<\/p>\n

3. Most children have played Simon Says<\/a> before. A group of children, or adults, stands in a line and \u201cSimon\u201d gives them instructions. As long as the phrase \u201cSimon says\u201d is given before the instruction, the group does what Simon says. If Simon says to do something but fails to say \u201cSimon says,\u201d the person who still does it is out. This continues until only one person is left and they then become Simon.<\/p>\n

4. Tag is another game that\u2019ll get your preschooler moving. Several children are chased by one child who is \u201cIt.\u201d This child will try to tag the others, which will make the tagged child it. The children can play for as long as they\u2019re having fun.<\/p>\n

5. Bug Hunt<\/a> is a game you may not know. Find pictures of bugs (ladybugs, ants, crickets, butterflies, etc.) and glue them to index cards<\/a>. Give each child two or three cards and let them try to find those bugs. <\/p>\n

6. Traffic Light<\/a> (Red Light, Green Light) is a game where children are lined up on one end of a yard and another child plays the \u201cstop light.\u201d As soon as that child turns away from the others and yells \u201cgreen light,\u201d the other children move forward and try to reach him. The children must stop when the stop light turns and says \u201cred light.\u201d The child that reaches the stop light first then becomes it.<\/p>\n

7. Help your child with a Treasure Hunt<\/a>. Hide a gift and then create a treasure hunt where they\u2019ll have to go around the yard or house, go through boxes, up and down stairs, to find their treasure.<\/p>\n

8. Musical Chairs<\/a> is another game that children love to play. Of course you\u2019ll want to have a number of children (or adults) to play, as well. A circle of chairs are placed in a room, seats facing outwards, with one less chair than the number of children. Music starts and the children walk around the chairs; when the music stops the children try to find a seat. The one left standing is out, another chair is taken, and the music begins again.<\/p>\n

Take time to play any of these eight fun games for preschoolers to keep them active. You\u2019ll both have fun and your child will learn how to remain active and fight obesity.<\/p>\n

\"Reblog<\/a>