Riding Toys

oys that Encourage Physical Activity

Childhood obesity is at an all-time high in America. All too often, kids spend their time indoors, sitting in front of television or video games. Get your couch potato up off the couch and engaged in some physical activity! He’ll be healthier and happier.

Riding Toys

Riding Toys that can be sat on and either pedaled or pushed are great for even little kids. Some ride-on toys have pull-behind compartments so that favorite stuffed animals can go for a ride, or your little mover can haul dirt, rocks and whatever else he finds in the yard.

Make sure to use close adult supervision with ride-on toys. Cars backing out of driveways can’t see your little one when he’s so low to the ground. Make sure to establish a firm stay-out-of-the road policy, too.

Sports Toys

There’s a youth set for just about every imaginable sport. Grab a soccer ball and either purchase goal nets, or set up your own boundaries with sidewalk chalk or lawn furniture. Basketball and hoop sets are designed for everyone from infants to toddlers to older kids. Some hoops are adjustable to take growth into consideration. Kids can learn tennis and racquetball with kid-sized rackets, golf with kid-sized clubs, and hockey with kid-sized sticks.

Team sports and lessons are available in most cities and towns and can be a great way to get kids outside and having fun. The social skills they learn while participating are invaluable, too.

99 Cent Toys

A simple rubber ball can provide hours of fun for kids! Make up games, play catch, or “bowling.” Jump ropes are very inexpensive and jumping is a great cardio workout. Sidewalk chalk can be used to make hopscotch or four-square patterns on the driveway, or big murals.

Bikes

Learning to ride a bike without training wheels is a huge milestone in a child’s life, and a wonderful bonding moment. Prior to that, riding with training wheels instills balance and confidence. Make sure to buy a bike that’s not too large or too small for your child. He should be able to ride it comfortably, but his knees shouldn’t hit the bottom of the handlebars! A helmet should always be worn while riding a bicycle.

Skateboards and Scooters

Skateboards, or their more accessible cousins, scooters, are fabulous for promoting balance and coordination. Helmets, elbow and knee pads should always, always be worn while riding skateboards and scooters. Younger children can simply work on staying on the board, while older kids can work on grinding the rails, or catching some (hopefully small) air off ramps. Hang out at your local skate park, or just practice in the driveway. The difference between a skateboard and a scooter is the handle – a scooter has one; a skateboard doesn’t. Both are still cool.

Trampolines

Every year, many children take a trip to the ER due to injuries on trampolines. Like all physical toys, trampolines can be dangerous if used improperly. Remind children that all jumping should be done with adult supervision. Trampolines with safety nets mitigate some injuries. Though it can cool kids off in the summer, putting the sprinkler underneath a trampoline can be dangerous.

Encourage kids to get outside and play in all kinds of weather. Unless there’s a hurricane brewing outside, your child should get some fresh air and exercise his muscles. Join him for some outdoor family fun!