Remember zero point and hopscotch? These traditional games are perfect outdoor activities for kids! Teach your children how to play these childhood games.
The next time you reminisce about the good old days, take your children down memory lane with you.
Share what it was like growing up in the eighties; show them what recess breaks were made of and how afternoons and weekends were spent meeting up at playgrounds to play hide-and-seek, jump rope, hopscotch, police-and-thief, or catching guppies at the longkang (canal).
Here are five local, old school games that were popular in the 1980s. Introducing these games to your children will not only transport you back in time but also allow them to have a glimpse into your past. It also creates a fun environment to encourage your children to get active and be more interested in outdoor activities.
When kids get active, there are plenty of health benefits. These include improved development of movement, motor and social skills, and better hand-eye coordination. Children also build stronger muscles and bones, have better weight control, and a decreased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Burning energy in the day also allows kids to have a better sleep at night.
For all the activities listed below, please take note of these safety messages:
What you need: Chalk or masking tape, and a small object as your marker (a small bean bag, button, stone, etc.)
How to play:
Key benefit(s): Improves foot-eye coordination and develops Fundamental Movement Skills such as balance, single-leg hop, flexibility (to pick up marker while performing single-leg balance).
What you need: At least three people playing.
How to play:
Key benefit(s): Strengthens lower limb muscles and develops Fundamental Movement Skills such as leaping, jumping and hopping.
What you need: A packet of rubber bands, tie them together to form a long chain (about 4m).
How to play:
Key benefit(s): Improves motor coordination, agility and rope-jumping skills acquired may be transferred into other athletic pursuits.
What you need: At least two people playing.
How to play:
Key benefit(s): Provides an aerobic workout when played for more than 10 minutes and develops Fundamental Movement Skills such as running, jumping and leaping.
What you need: A
Chapteh.
How to play:
Key benefit(s): Promotes foot-eye coordination, aerobic fitness, lower limb and core strength, flexibility and balance.
Play Chapteh and other fun activities with your family this weekend or join one of the family and kid-friendly programmes by the Health Promotion Board.
Enjoy these fun activities with friends and family anytime of the day. It is recommended to be played at open spaces such as parks, playgrounds, HDB sheltered pavilion or void decks where individuals can practice basic fundamental movements skills (i.e. running, jumping, leaping, hopping, object control and balance).
Visit Parent Hub, for more useful tips and guides to give your child a healthy start.
Download the HealthHub app on Google Play or Apple Store to access more health and wellness advice at your fingertips.
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This article was last reviewed on 09 May 2023
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