Your little kindergartener needs at least 180 minutes of physical activity spread over the course of a day, and half of it should be spent outdoors. Encourage children to move around for 10-15 minutes every hour. Kids tend to have shorter attention spans and are active in shorter bursts than adults.

Exercise is not only good for your child's health, it can also build self-confidence, boost self-esteem and improve coordination, all of which are important for young kids. Exercise should be an enjoyable activity for your kid, so keep it fun!

Related: Raising Kids with Healthy Minds

Fun Activities for Kids

Here are some activity ideas to get you and your little one moving:

Cooking with the Little Chef

Kids shouldn't play with knives, but there are plenty of other things your child can help within the kitchen. Here's a list of what your preschooler can do:

  • Stacking and assembling
  • Pouring
  • Measuring
  • Stirring and mixing

Spend the afternoon at home baking some healthy goodies if it's a rainy day and the weather's not perfect for a sunny day out. Mixing the batter or beating eggs are good arm workouts!

Jumping, Skipping and Other Simple Indoor and Outdoor Activities for Kids

Kids love jumping, so why not get them a skipping rope and encourage them to skip or hop away? Skipping is a great exercise that gets the heart pumping. It's also a very versatile activity that can be done both indoors or outdoors, and alone or with friends.

Skipping is an enjoyable activity for kids  

Related: Dance Your Way to Health

Playing Pretend and Other Imaginative Indoor Games for Kids

Kids have very active imaginations, and you don't need a trip to the zoo for some animal action. Get your child moving by pretending that they're different animals. Jump like a kangaroo, slither on the floor like a snake, flap their arms like a bird, or get ready to pounce like a tiger.

Challenge your kid to see how long he can balance a book, a beanbag, or a couple of rolled-up socks on his head while he walks around the house. If you have the room, make a simple obstacle course and finish it up with a throwing challenge where your child must throw the sock into a basket or an empty box.

Related: The Toy Story on Safety

Family Activities in Singapore for Weekends

Weekends are a great time for family bonding. Here are some ideas on where to go for a fun-filled and physically active weekend. Don't forget to pack the sunblock and water bottles!

Places to Go with Kids to Discover Our Heritage

Singapore is home to many different cultures. Why not explore Singapore's rich cultural history as a family by taking excursions to Arab Street, Little India, and Chinatown? There are also many heritage trails you can take your curious child on such as the Tiong Bahru trail, Balestier trail and the Jubilee walk, where you can see the sights and learn more about Singapore's history.

Related: Kickstart Your Active Lifestyle with a Dose of Fitness and Heritage

Get Kids Busy with Gardening at the Parks

HortPark, one of the many green spaces in Singapore, is home to themed greenhouses and beautiful gardens. Kids of all ages can take part in the gardening activities that provide interactive fun and seeks to cultivate the spirit of gardening in everyone. If you don't have a green thumb, go for a nature walk as HortPark is part of the Southern Ridges that comprises Mount Faber Park, Telok Blangah Hill Park, Kent Ridge Park, and Labrador Nature Park.

Introduce active games that your kids will love

Introduce Your Favourite Sport to Your Young Kids

You are the biggest influence in your child's life, so it is important for mum and dad to set a good example by being active as well. If you have not been active lately, it's time to make some changes and get moving. What was the one sport you enjoyed as a child? Why not pick it up again, and introduce the sport to your little one? 

Your child may or may not take to the sport, but if he sees Mum and Dad being passionate about it, there's a good chance that he'll seek out a sport that brings as much joy to him in the future.

Visit Parent Hub, for more useful tips and guides to give your child a healthy start.

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References

  1. Amita Shroff, MD. (2018, November 9). 14 Inside Rainy-Day Activities for Kids. Retrieved November 2018 from https://www.webmd.com/parenting/raising-fit-kids/move/ss/slideshow-inside-activities
  2. Dan Brennan, MD. (2017, February 11). How to Get Kids to Love Exercise. Retrieved November 2018 from https://www.webmd.com/parenting/raising-fit-kids/move/slideshow-kids-love-exercise
  3. Amanda MacMillan. (2016, April 12). Can Kids Exercise Too Much?. Retrieved November 2018 from https://www.webmd.com/parenting/raising-fit-kids/move/features/how-much-exercise#1
  4. Ann Bartkowski. Outdoor Sports Activities for Kids. Retrieved November 2018 from https://www.livestrong.com/article/158180-outdoor-sports-activities-for-kids/