World WellBeing Week | Let’s Get Active!
World WellBeing Week is a great time to think about all the ways in which we can promote wellness in our own families, from the emotional to the physical and everything in between. Each day this week, the team at Banjo HQ are focussing on a wellbeing theme which might be helpful for you and your little ones.
Today we’re thinking about movement and how it can help our wellbeing. Being active when you’re younger means that children are at a reduced risk of developing a major illness later in life so it’s so important to get them moving! We all know that modern life, however, can mean children have less opportunities to move or be active. So, here at Banjo HQ we’ve given you some online choices below as well as indoor and outdoor activities:
Andy’s Wild Workouts
We were so pleased to see that Andy Day (CBeebies) has a series on YouTube for younger children called Andy’s Wild Workouts. Here you can see that each video follows a different theme such as a rainforest adventure. Videos are informative and educational, as well as active and only last about six minutes, so good for a quick burst! Perfect! This series is also available on BBC iPlayer. Our little ones love these!
GoNoodle
GoNoodle say they help 14 million kids every month with movement and mindfulness videos that are created by child development experts! There is SOOO much to choose from; they have 19 different channels, including exercise channels such as Zumba Kids, Net Generation and Koo Koo Kangeroo. The videos are really fun and full of energy. If you don’t want to sign up, check out their YouTube channel where you can access lots of their videos.
Cosmic Kids Yoga
Now, this was the saving grace for a lot of parents during lockdown (along with PE with Joe) so, we had to give it a mention. Jamie gives your kids a chance to learn yoga and mindfulness within an adventure story or guided relaxation. You will find Frozen, Moana and Trolls videos which have had millions of views so, definitely something for all kids. Cosmic Kids Yoga is used in schools all over the UK and videos range from short stories for nursery-aged children. It also has full length 30 minute adventures for older kids. Definitely a winner at getting them moving, without even realising!
Indoors? Here are some options to help you get active!
Jumping jacks – This is real simple exercise but good for coordination and really gets their heart going. Get them to count with you too!
Clean-up race – Oh, this is a good one to help you with tidying up. Set a timer or put on a song to see who can help with cleaning up the fastest. As an aside, you may want to establish some rules with this, as you may end up with a messier room!
Tickle tag – Our personal favourite in the Banjo office! Chase your children around the house, you know what happens if you catch them!
Outside? Fabulous! Let’s get active!
Classic childhood activities – Reminisce about all the old school games that you remember playing as a child. Play hide and seek, freeze tag or red rover. Teach your kids how to play, and see if they can invent their own versions too!
Races – So simple but, the kids LOVE it. Why don’t you organise races with a small prize for your child and get CREATIVE? Is it a crab walk race? Is it a egg and spoon race? If your little one has no one to race against, time them. Get them to get to a certain time and they win the prize!
Hot potato – They will love this! All you have to do is get a soft ball or rolled up sock and toss it to a child. Tell them to toss it to someone else as quickly as possible. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. When will the game end? Who knows? Just get rid of it! So much fun!
Hopefully these ideas will help get you and your little ones moving this World WellBeing Week and remember that if you’re struggling with your mental health, please contact The Samaritans on 116 123. Or, you can contact YoungMinds if you’re a young person by texting YM to 85258. Do not suffer alone.
Love, Banjo HQ x
