Lindsay, A. 2020, Healthy Kids Resource Center: Physical Activities To Do With Your Children Section, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno
kids playing simon says

Overview

Physical activity is a vital part of staying healthy. Encouraging healthy habits in your child is one of the best things a parent can do to try to guarantee a healthier life. Being active can help kids and adults have healthier weights, less fat, and stronger muscles and bones. Activity can help prevent heart disease, cancer, and stroke. It can also lessen feelings of depression, and boost confidence. As children get older, they often reduce their physical activity. Because of this, making activity a family focus is key.

Nevada Pre-K Standards: Revised and Approved: 2010.

  •   Math & Science
  •   English Language Arts
  •   Social Emotional
  •   Creative Expression/Experiences
  •   Physical Development

Videos

Active Bingo

Pre-K Standards:
Math: 1.PK.3a
Physical Development: 1.PK.1, 2.PK.1, 2.PK.2, 3.PK.1, 3.PK.2, 4.PK2.1
    

Instructions

Step 1: Give each person a playing board. (Playing cards attached.)
Step 2: Choose a card from the pile and read aloud the action on the card.

  • Ex. 5 jumping jacks
  • Ex. 3 hops

Step 3: Each person will then perform the action and then mark off the action on the card.
Step 4: First person to have 3 actions in a row wins.

Skills
  • Balance
  • Spin on one foot
  • Jumping
  • Hopping on one foot
  • Some cardio
  • Some muscle strength
Download Active Bingo PDF

Alphabet Stretch

Pre-K Standards:
Physical Development: 2.PK.2, 3.PK.1, 3.PK.2,
Social/Emotional: 2.PK.1b, 5.PK.1b, 5.PK.1d, 5.PK.2a, 5.PK.2b
Creative Expression: 5.PK.1, 5.PK.3
       

Instructions

Step 1: Divide kids into groups (groups of 4 works best)
Step 2: Each group will be assigned a letter of the alphabet
Step 3: Have the group work together and stretch into the assigned letter encouraging them to increase flexibility whether it be standing or sitting

Skills
  • Balance
  • Stretching
  • Large Gross Motor Movement

Reference

University of Nevada Reno Cooperative Extension. All 4 Kids Parent's Curriculum Lesson 3

Download Alphabet Stretch PDF

Animal Moves

Pre-K Standards:
Physical Development: 1.PK.1, 2.PK.1, 2.PK.2, 2.PK.3, 3.PK.1, 4.PK.1, 5.PK.1
Language/Listening: 7.PK.1a
Creative Expression/Dramatic Play: 2.PK.1
    

Instructions

Step 1: The goal is to pretend and move around like different animals.
Step 2: Walk like a penguin
Step 3: Hop like a frog
Step 4: Hop like a bunny, etc.

Skills
  • Balancing
  • Jumping
  • Light Cardio
  • Light Muscle Strengthening
Download Animal Moves PDF

Balancing Act

Pre-K Standards:
Physical Development: 1.PK.1, 2.PK.1, 2.PK.3, 3.PK.1
 

Instructions

Step 1: Make a line on the floor with painter's tape
Step 2: Walk heel-to-toe on the tape
Step 3: Balance on one foot, every few steps
Step 4: Repeat

Variation

Add music and when the music stops balance, hold something on your hands or point to a particular part on the face while balancing (eye, nose, ear, etc.)

Skills
  • Balance
  • Spatial Awareness
Reference

University of Nevada Reno Cooperative Extension. All 4 Kids Teachers’ Connection Newsletters

Download Balancing Act PDF

Balloon Fun

Pre-K Standards:
Physical Development: 2.PK.1, 2.PK.2, 3.PK.1, 4.PK.1, 5.PK.1
Social Emotional: 2.PK.3a, 5.PK.1a, 5.PK.1b
    

Instructions

Step 1: Use one balloon per child and have them try to keep the balloon up in the air as long as possible.

Skills
  • Object Control
  • Striking
  • Kicking
  • Light Cardio
Download Balloon Fun PDF

Beats of My Heart

Pre-K Standards:
Language/Listening: 7.PK.1a
Physical Development/Health: 1.PK.1, 2.PK.1, 3.PK.2, 1.PK.2
    

Instructions
  1. Pass out foam hearts to each child and have everyone pump their heart.
  2. Pretend you're sleeping and pump the foam heart slowly.
  3. Pretend you're running/walking/dancing and pump the foam heart faster.
  4. Explain that the heart is always beating and being active helps it beat faster and stay strong.
Skills
  • Light Cardio
References

University of Nevada Reno Cooperative Extension. All 4 Kids Children's Curriculum Lesson 4

Count My Moves

Pre-K Standards:
Cognitive/Math: 1.PK.3b
Language/ Listening: 7.PK.1a
Physical Development: 1.PK.1, 2.PK.1, 4PK2.1, 5PK.1, 4.PK.2
       

Instructions

Step 1: Roll a die.
Step 2: Pick a movement, i.e. push-ups, heel step, tip toes, squat, crunch, jump, hop, spin, etc.
Step 3: Pick a movement, i.e. push-ups, heel step, tip toes, squat, crunch, jump, hop, spin, etc.
Step 4: Take turns.

Variation
Create a die with movements on each side that can be rolled to determine which movement you do. Another option is to create a spinner or printed cards with movements to choose from.

Skills
  • Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity
  • Balance
  • Light Muscle Strengthening
  • Light Cardio

Reference

University of Nevada Reno Cooperative Extension. All 4 Kids Teachers’ Connection Newsletters

Download Count my Moves PDF

Crossing My Feet

Pre-K Standards:
Physical Development: 1.PK.1, 3.PK.1, 3.PK.2
Creative Expression/Visual Arts: 2.PK.4
Social Studies/Geography: G5.PK.1
     

Instructions
  1. Place colored sticky notes in the following pattern: Blue, Red, Blue.
  2. Place right foot on Blue sticky note, cross left foot on Red making an X with the legs.
  3. Repeat the pattern several times.
  4. Have child(ren) move all the way to the right and then return moving all the way back

Variations:
Add music or a timer

Skills
  • Crossing the Midline
  •   Math & Science
  •   English Language Arts
  •   Social Emotional
  •   Creative Expression/Experiences
  •   Physical Development
Download Crossing my Feet PDF

Dancing Partner

Pre-K Standards:
Creative Expression: 6.PK.2
Physical Development: 4.PK.1
   

Instructions

Step 1: Tape together several pieces of newspaper.
Step 2: Lay flat on the paper and have someone trace your body with a pencil or marker.
Step 3: Cut out your shape.
Step 4: Use it as your dancing partner.

Variation: Add music.

Skills
  • Large Gross Motor Development
  • Spatial Awareness
Reference

University of Nevada Reno Cooperative Extension. All 4 Kids Parent’s Curriculum Lesson 3

Download Dancing Partner PDF

Follow the Leader

Pre-K Standards:
Language/Listening: 7.PK.1a,
Physical Activity: 2.PK.2, 3.PK.2
    

Instructions

Step 1: A leader or head of the line is chosen.
Step 2: Children all line up behind the leader.
Step 3: The leader moves around and all the children have to mimic the leader’s actions.
Step 4: Players who fail to follow or do what the leader does are eliminated from game play.

Variation: Add music.

Skills
  • Spatial and Body Awareness
  • Large Gross Motor Development
Reference

University of Nevada Reno Cooperative Extension. All 4 Kids Parent’s Curriculum Lesson 3

Download Follow the Leader PDF

Food Relay

Pre-K Standards:
Life Science: L.PK.5
Physical Development/Health: 1.PK.1, 2.PK.1, 2.Pk.2, 3.PK.1, 3.PK.2, 4.PK2.1, 1.PK.3, 1.PK.8
    

Instructions
  1. Sit in a circle and teach children the importance of fruit and vegetables
  2. Print* out pictures of different fruit and vegetables (or use plastic models if available) and hang them/place them in different places around the room
  3. Divide children into two groups and have one group "build" a fruit salad and one a veggie salad.
  4. Children from each group will take turns choosing their own movements to get a picture for their salad. (Jump, crab walk, walk backwards, etc... to get picture)
Skills
  • Light cardio
  • Light muscle strengthening
Download Food Relay PDF

Heart Smart

Pre-K Standards:
Health: 1.PK.2
 

Instructions

Step 1: Introduce the term “HEART SMART” by saying “When you hear the word HEART SMART I want you to place both hands over your heart.”
Step 2: Feel your heart beat after a bout of physical activity.
Step 3: Say “When you’re ACTIVE, your heart beats faster. Can you feel it beat?”
Step 4: Shout HEART SMART immediately after finishing an activity that increases your heart rate to engrain concept that when your heart beats faster, it’s because you’re being ACTIVE and USING lots of ENERGY.

Skills
  • Light Cardio
Reference

University of Nevada Reno Cooperative Extension. All 4 Kids Children’s Curriculum Lesson 3

Download Heart Smart PDF

Higher or Lower

Pre-K Standards:
Physical Development: 1.PK.1, 2.PK.1, 3.PK.2, 4.PK.1, 5.PK.1, 5.PK.2
Cognition/mathematics: 1.PK.3a, 1.PK.4b,
Social/Geography: G5.PK.1 Emotional: 5.PK.1b, 5.PK.2a, 5.PK.2b
         

Instructions
  1. One student comes to the front of the room. The teacher writes a 3 digit number on the board behind the student so he/she cannot see it.
  2. The student calls out a number while marching in place. The remainder of the class marches in place until the number is called out.
  3. If the number is too high, the class squats (guess lower). If the number is too low, the class jumps up and down (guess higher).
  4. When the correct number is identified, select a different student to come to the front and repeat.
Skills
  • Jumping
  • Light Cardio
  • Light Muscle Strengthening
Download Higher or Lower PDF

Indoor Obstacle Course

Pre-K Standards:
Physical Development: 1.PK.1, 2PK.1, 3.PK.1, 3KP.2, 4.PK.1
Social/Emotional: 2.PK.3a, 2.PK.3b, 5.PK.1a, 5.PK.1b
Creative Expression: 2.PK.2b, 3.PK.1
       

Instructions
  1. Set up an indoor obstacle course with furniture where your children will have to crawl to get from one side of the room/house to the other.
  2. If possible, have your children help you design the obstacle course.

Variation
If possible and weather permitting, set up an outdoor obstacle course using spare tires, hula hoops, cones, balance beams etc.

Skills (may vary depending on course)
  • Balancing
  • Spatial Awareness
  • Body Awareness
  • Jumping
  • Hopping
Download Indoor Obstacle Course PDF

Musical Shapes

Pre-K Standards:
Physical Development: 1.PK.1, 2.PK.1, 3.PK.1, 4.PK.1, 5.PK.1
Social/Emotional: H1.PK.1, 5.PK.1b
Creative Expression/Music & Movement: 10.PK.1a, 10.PK.1b Visual Arts: 2.PK.4
     

Instructions
  1. Cut out various paper shapes and duct tape on the floor.
  2. Have your children walk, hop, or skip on the shapes when music is playing.
  3. When the music stops, children must stop and shout out the name of the shape they are on.
Skills
  • Skipping
  • Jumping
  • Light Cardio
Download Musical Shapes PDF

Obstacle Course

Pre-K Standards:
Physical Development: 1.PK.1, 2.PK.1, 3.PK.1, 3.PK.2, 4.PK.1, 5.PK.2
 

Instructions

Step 1: Select a safe area.
Step 2: Set up obstacle course with chairs, boxes and tunnels for the children to go over, under, through, balance and go around.

>Variation: Add music. Set up obstacle course indoors or outdoors and add more challenging activities.

Skills (may vary depending on course)
  • Balancing
  • Spatial Awareness
  • Body Awareness
  • Jumping
  • Hopping
  • Skipping
Reference

University of Nevada Reno Cooperative Extension. All 4 Kids Parent’s Curriculum Lesson 3

Download Obstacle Course PDF

Rainbow Ribbons

Pre-K Standards:
Physical Development: 1.PK.1, 2.PK.1, 2.PK.2, 3.PK.1, 4.PK.1, 4.PK.1
Language/Listening: 7.PK.1b
Social Studies/Geography: G5.PK.1
       

Instructions

Use your whole body and move...

  • Move the ribbon up high!
  • Move the ribbon down low!
  • Move the ribbon out to one side with one hand!
  • Move the ribbon to the other side, across your body!
  • Step to the side with the ribbon!
  • Step forward with the ribbon!
  • Step back with the ribbon!
  • Shake the ribbon behind you (no peeking)!
  • Shake the ribbon in front of you!
  • Jump high with the ribbon!
  • Move the ribbon really fast!
  • Move the ribbon in slow motion!

Variation: Add music.

Skills
  • Large Gross Motor Development
  • Light Cardio
Download Rainbow Ribbons PDF
Reference

University of Nevada Reno Cooperative Extension. All 4 Kids Curriculum Lesson 3

Rainbow Scarves

Pre-K Standards:
 

Instructions

Step 1: Move your scarf:

  • Up high/down low
  • Really fast/in slow motion
  • Wave the scarf to each side
  • Wave the scarf in front/behind
  • Jump up high with the scarf
  • Step forward/backward/right/ left side
  • March in place waving the scarf

Variation: Add music.

Skills
  • Light Cardio
  • Large Gross Motor Movement
Reference

University of Nevada Reno Cooperative Extension. All 4 Kids Curriculum Family Event 3

Download Rainbow Scarves PDF

Red Light, Green Light Game

Pre-K Standards:
       

Instructions

Step 1: Determine a starting and ending line.
Step 2: Start with everyone along the starting line.
Step 3: Assign a player to be the traffic cop.
Step 4: Traffic cop will turn his/her back to players.
Step 5: Traffic cop says “Green Light” as the players move forward.
Step 6: When traffic light player says “Red Light” players must stop.
Step 7: Start a new round when everyone gets across the finish line or when most players make it across the finish line.

Variation: Add music or a timer. Players must stop when music stops or timer rings. Use a Red and Green paper to show the color instead of calling out the word.

Skills
  • Light Cardio
  • Balance
Reference

University of Nevada Reno Cooperative Extension. All 4 Kids Parent’s Curriculum Lesson 3

Simon Says...

Pre-K Standards:
Physical Development: 1.PK.1, 2.PK.2, 2.PK.3, 3.PK.1, 3.PK.2, 4.PK.1
Social/Emotional: 5.PK.1a
    

Instructions

Play Simon Says and instruct your children to do different exercises like:

  • Arm and leg stretches
  • Jumping jacks
  • Bunny hops
  • Balancing on right or left foot
Skills (may vary on physical activities chosen)
  • Balancing
  • Skipping
  • Jumping
  • Hopping
  • Light Cardio
  • Muscle Strengthening
Download Simon Says PDF

Stretchy Limbo

Pre-K Standards:
Physical Development: 3.PK.1, 3.PK.2
Social/Geography: G5.PK.1 Emotional: 2.PK.1b, 5.PK.1b, 5.PK.1d
Creative Expression/Music & Movement: 6.PK.1, 10.PK.1c
     

Instructions
  1. Have two people each hold an end of a broomstick at chest height
  2. Have each child slowly move under the stick by leaning backward without touching the ground or stick
  3. After everyone has gone, increase the difficulty level by lowering the broom 2 or 3 inches
  4. Continue the game until one child is left

Variation: Play music with increasing or decreasing tempo and move according to the speed of the music

Skills
  • Balancing
  • Spatial Awareness
  • Body Awareness
Download Stretchy Limbo PDF

Treasure Hunt

Pre-K Standards:
          

Instructions

Set up, materials and procedure:
Step 1: Select a theme (colors, ABCs, shapes, numbers)
Step 2: Hide “treasures” throughout the house or selected area and provide clues to their locations.
Step 3: See how many “treasures” the players can find.

Variation: Add music or a timer

Skills
  • Light Cardio
Reference

University of Nevada Reno Cooperative Extension. All 4 Kids Parent’s Curriculum Lesson 3

Download Treasure Hunt PDF

Whoa & Go Yarn Race

Pre-K Standards:
Physical Development: 1.PK.1, 2.PK.2, 3.PK.1, 4.PK.1
Social/Economics: Ec10.PK.1 Emotional: 5.PK.1b
Creative Expression: 3.PK.3
     

Materials
  • Piece of yarn 1 Yard long
  • Piece of yarn 4 yards long
Instructions
  1. Cut one piece of yarn about 4 yards. Cut another piece 1 yard
  2. Have one kid eat a healthy, GO Snack and the other kid an unhealthy, WOAH Snack.
  3. Have the kid who ate the WOAH Snack take the 1-yard piece of yarn and walk out with it. (have someone hold the other end of the yarn)
  4. Explain that he/she was able to go this far on the energy they got from the unhealthy WOAH Snack.
  5. Have the kid who ate the GO Snack take the 4-yard piece of yarn and walk out with it next to the kid with the 1-yard yarn. (Again, have someone hold the other end of that piece of yarn too.)
  6. Explain that he/she was able to go a lot farther on the energy they got from the healthy GO Snack.
Skills
  • Light Cardio

Whoa & Go Yarn Race Playing cards PDF

Nevada Pre-K Standards: Revised and Approved: 2010.

  •   Math & Science
  •   English Language Arts
  •   Social Emotional
  •   Creative Expression/Experiences
  •   Physical Development

Learn more about the author(s)

Anne R. Lindsay
Anne R. Lindsay