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Best Practices for Young

Children: Physical Activity

Putting the Recommendations into

Practice

Arlene Turner, M.S.

[email protected]

Twitter: @acthealthy

LEAN Start parents, Champion Moms,

community leaders, childcare providers and

teachers needed physical activity ideas for

young children...

…and the confidence to lead and

promote physical activity.

Parking Lot Playground

• Simple skills &

activities

• Low or no cost

• Easily adaptable

to space

• Accommodate

many or few

• Portable

Young children can:

• Jump, hop, run, kick, catch, throw, toss

• Move in patterns

• Change directions

• Balance

• Use rhythm

• Use implements

• Understand sequences

• Pretend

Fun Stuff

• Bubble wrap

• Duct tape

• Child size brooms

• Fly swatters

• Parachute

• Poly spots

• Foam noodles

• Sidewalk chalk

• Hula hoops

• Frisbees

• Bean bags

• Beach balls

• Buckets

• Baskets

• Cones

• Bubbles

Cheap Stuff• Yarn balls – use to toss, catch, throw & as targets

• Plastic ½ gallon bottles - cut out the bottom, turn over &

use as a scoop for tossing & catching

• Styrofoam cartons (take-out cartons) - use as cones or

markers

• Plastic tubs (½ pint) - use as pucks

Cheap Stuff• Wire hangers + panty hose - use as rackets or paddles

• Newspaper balls – stuff plastic bags w/ newspaper,

tissue paper or styrofoam peanuts & wrap w/ duct or

masking tape

• Beanie Babies or small stuffed toys - use to balance on

head or shoulders or toss at targets

Cheap Stuff

• Gift wrap rolls - use as implements

• Old socks - use knotted up as balls or bean bags

• Plastic beverage bottles – fill small bottles w/ sand & use

as hand weights. Use liter bottles as cones or

targets.

Cheap Stuff• Paper plates - use as floor spots, steering wheels or

skates

• Boxes (large) - climb over, around, through; targets

• Bed sheet – use as a parachute

What I’ve Learned

• Create a visually fun play space

• Use fun/funny names for the activities

• Be ready to improvise

• Be enthusiastic

• Play along

• Children should dress

for play

Model FUN!

Play Along!

Be Enthusiastic!

Good hopping! Nice throw!

Some of Our Favorite Activities:

Zig Zag Fun

Balance Beam

Balance Beam

Hop & Pop

Hop & Pop

Spot Hop

Over The River

Roll the Dice

Jumping Jack

Clean Sweep

Noodle Play

Noodle Play

Noise Makers

Throw, Toss, Carry

Throw, Toss, Carry

HAVE FUN !