Physical Indoor Activities for Preschoolers

Whether the weather is rainy or cold, preschoolers need 60 minutes of daily structured physical exercise, according to the National Association for Sport and Physical Education, a non-profit organization of teachers, coaches and researchers. Besides tiring kids out and preserving parents' sanity, physical activity helps combat obesity and a host of related medical conditions on the rise in recent decades, such as diabetes, heart disease and asthma. However, achieving a balance between fun and fitness takes a little more creative thought when the activity must move indoors.

  1. Dance

    • Beat the rainy day blues with an indoor dance party.

      One of the easiest ways to get active indoors is through dance. Turn on the radio or pop in your child's favorite CD. Take turns exhibiting and imitating your made-up moves. Add another dimension of fun by turning dance into a game of "freeze." When an adult stops the music, the preschooler must freeze in place until the music starts up again. If there is more than one child participating, the last child to freeze has to sit out the rest of the dance until only one dancer remains.

    Pretend

    • An imagination-powered horse gallops its way to fun and fitness.

      Use the power of imagination to take a trip to the zoo. Play charades by imitating animal movements. Walk like a duck, slither like a snake or hop like a frog. Take an indoor vacation. Use arm movements to pretend you are rowing a boat or flying like an airplane to a new destination. Parents can add obstacle courses by using their legs to create a bridge for the child to crawl under or to step over.

    Play

    • Preschoolers can improve coordination by throwing, catching, kicking or rolling a soft ball around the house.

      Several games incorporate physical movement into the fun. The Nintendo Wii and Xbox 360 Kinect feature motion-controlled games ranging from running races to gymnastics events and beyond. However, there are simpler and less expensive game options as well. Hula-Hoops, Twister and a simple game of catch with a soft ball can improve preschoolers' coordination while working up a sweat. With some creativity, adults can construct a hopscotch grid using sofa pillows or easy-to-remove tape on the floor.

    Old-fashioned Fun

    • Nursery rhymes and other activities have provided simple, no-cost physical fun for generations. If there is more than one preschooler present, introduce them to a game of Duck, Duck, Goose; London Bridge; Ring Around the Rosy; or Red Light, Green Light. The rules are easy to follow and kids quickly catch on to the rhymes. Then, when the weather improves, transport the kids and the games outside to continue the fun.

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