Seven Toys that Make Exercising Fun for Kids

Articles on Exercise | Topics: exercise, exercises, exercising

by Sajni Parks

When parents complain loud enough people listen. In this case, the toy manufacturers are listening and have realized that parents want more for their children than simply sitting around playing with a controller that numbs their mind and allows for no physical activity. Here are a few toys that are on the market that make exercising fun for kids.

1. PlayStation2 has created Eye Toy: This version has children dancing to several different pop tunes. A great form of exercise and the kids are enjoying themselves. Many times the children invite their friends over and several of them are dancing away. This not only encourages one child but several to get up and exercise. There have been other Eye Toy versions that allow for skateboarding and snowboarding that allow the player to think they are on the course. They do not actually see themselves on television rather they use their body to control the course on the screen.

2. Toy Quest Entertainment has set in motion a type of game that reflects the child's movement through sensors that attach to them. Spider-man 2 Web Action will provide many hours of enjoyment for the children as they try to see if they can make movements that will trick what they see on the television. What child does not love to see their actions on television? This is a great way for the child to move around spontaneously stretching up and down, moving side to side, and jumping around.

3. Dance, Dance Revolution (DDR) became popular in many arcades as kids of all ages stood on a platform and tried to match the foot pattern they saw on the screen while a variety of songs played. The company that developed the Dance, Dance, and Revolution (DDR) has also created a home version that is quite popular.

4. Radica Games has introduced wireless video games that use sensors attached to the body to perform the actions. Games can be skateboarding, snowboarding, boxing, or even baseball where the player swings a wireless bat and sees the hit on the television screen. The only concern here is that a younger child does not take the wireless bat outside and it is left out there and is ruined due to being exposed to the elements or possibly throwing it in the house. Other than that, this is a very exciting game for kids to play and provides a bit of competition if they are playing it with their friends.

Quote of the Day

See how peaceful it is here. The sea is everything. An immense reservoir of nature where I roam at will.... Think of it. On the surface there is hunger and fear. Men still exercise unjust laws. They fight, tear one another to pieces. A mere few feet beneath the waves their reign ceases, their evil drowns. Here on the ocean floor is the only independence. Here I am free.

—Earl Felton, and Richard Fleischer. Captain Nemo (James Mason)

5. Children love to bounce, play, and make joyous exploratory movements. Twisting, spinning, and throwing their body anywhere they can brings them great joy. Instead of riding the skateboard in the living room, maybe the children should gather their boards from the garage, dust them off, and start skateboarding outside! The same goes with the snowboard or sled. Who can deny the joy they see on the children's faces as they are flying down the hill and not one of them complains as they walk back up carrying their sled. Speaking of outside, how many parents can get there children to come to the car when it is time to leave the beach? Children love the ocean and the sand and building sand castles and splashing and falling and running. Give a child a choice of going the beach or staying indoors and sitting playing video games all day, which do you think they will choose that is right the beach wins easily.

6. Now the family does not necessarily have to go anywhere for the children to get exercise and have fun. There are bicycles and good old fashion games of chase, hide-and-seek, and tag. For children these games never get old.

7. Trampolines are a great source of fun and entertainment for children. It is important to follow safety precautions to ensure that no injuries occur while jumping is taking place. The trampoline provides exercise to all of the bodies muscles as the child is engaging their whole body in the activity and having a great time trying to do flips and somersaults as well as good old fashion jumping as high as they can and landing on their feet or not.

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Please note: All personal opinions expressed in the "Seven Toys that Make Exercising Fun for Kids" article belong to the contributing author and are not necessarily shared by HealthExerciseSports.com.

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