Why is fitness important for kids?

There are so many benefits to teaching kids about physical fitness! Everyone benefits from exercising and taking good care of themselves, especially kids!

Fitness also helps give kids the tools to tackle physical, emotional, and mental challenges in life! 

Although participating in team sports can be a motivating way for kids to enjoy exercising, it is important for them to know how to exercise and be physically fit even when they aren’t on a sports team. 

This week we are going to introduce some fitness skills to kids and help you have some fitness fun as a family!

Inside this post we share why fitness is important to kids! We also give you four simple fitness themed activities to try and a printable activity plan! 

RELATED: There are so many fun ways to get kids moving! Here are 25+ quick activities to burn off toddler energy!

Benefits of Fitness for Kids!

Kids are better equipped for the challenges that life throws at them when they art physically fit and active!

1. Physical benefits of fitness

Being physically fit helps kids do everyday activities successfully, like opening doors, walking, lifting heavy things, standing, running, sitting, playing, etc. When kids have good muscular strength and strong bones, they don’t put extra stress on their bodies throughout the day.

2. Emotional benefits of fitness

Physical activity helps kids have a better outlook on life because it helps them build confidence, develop their cognitive skills, manage anxiety and depression, and increase their self esteem!

3. Cognitive benefits of fitness

Exercise helps stimulate brain growth and boosts kid’s abilities to learn! It also helps kids build skills like attention/focus and also teaches kids body management skills. Exercise can also improve kid’s concentration!

Types of Fitness Activities to Introduce to Your Kids 

There are three types of fitness activities that you can introduce to your kids! These activities can be done throughout the week. It is important to have balance in the types of activities you do with your kids and make sure they are age/developmentally appropriate.

Young children will do short bursts of fitness activities followed by rest, while older kids will be able to do physical activities for longer. 

The most important part about fitness activities is that they are fun for young kids! Keep them short and simple and work up to longer fitness periods!

1) Aerobic activities 

These activities include running, swimming, bike riding, walking, and more. 

2) Muscle- strengthening activities 

These activities are like, gymnastics, dance, push ups, yoga, and balancing activities.

3) Bone-strengthening activities 

These activities can include hopping, skipping, jumping, running, lifting weights (like soup cans), jumping rope, etc.

Teach Kids About Exercise in Simple Ways!

Learning about fitness doesn’t need to be complicated. Introduce fitness to kids in fun ways!

We have 4 simple activities you can use to explore fitness with your kids this week! Each one emphasizes a different type of fitness activity to try!

Download Printable Fitness Skills Activity Plan HERE

This fitness themed activity guide includes…

• Some simple things to talk about/show kids
• A supply list for the activities
• 4 simple fitness themed activities
• Movie & book ideas

** Some of the activities, books, and movie titles are clickable on the plan and will direct you to a YouTube read aloud or Amazon rental link (not affiliate links).

Fitness Themed Activities for Kids

Here’s a quick summary of the activities below. You can find all the details and supply list in the activity plans.

1. Stop and Go Adventure

This activity works on body management with kids and practices stopping and starting. It is also a fun aerobic activity! This activity also works on listening and following directions. If you have one, this activity is fun to do with a bike or scooter!

2. Tape Balance Beam

This activity works on stability skills! Stability helps kids manage and control their bodies. It is also important as kids walk and change their posture throughout the day.

3. Climbing Trees/Rocks

This activity works on build muscle- strength in a fun way!

4. Build a Obstacle Course

This activity works on building bone-strength. 

 Download Printable Fitness Skills Activity Plan HERE

Books and Movies about Fitness

As part of this week’s plan, we shared some fun books and movie ideas that talk about exercise and working out and trying hard things!

As part of our continued effort to share more diverse literature, we have also included two wonderful books! We encourage you to check them out! The activity plan also includes a link to watch the books read aloud on YouTube.

Join us each week for our Kid Approved Life Skills School this summer.

We are taking simple important skills that kids need to learn and we are making them fun!

The activities are simple and hands-on.

The skills are ones that we think are important for kids to know as they become teens and adults.

We don’t have to wait until they are adults. We can start preparing them now!

Did you miss any of the skills we’ve shared so far? Find them on our Hands-On Life Skills Activities landing page HERE.

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After over 10 years of sharing fun and simple toddler activities, our Toddler Approved website is getting a facelift this week!

A new and improved Toddler Approved website will launch later this week!! We are so excited!!

If you would like to continue to get Toddler Approved blog posts sent directly to your inbox, please make sure you subscribe below.

SUBSCRIBE TO GET ALL TODDLER APPROVED POSTS

(After tomorrow, the previous way that you got our posts sent directly to your inbox will not work.)

I’ll be working hard behind the scenes this week to get things finalized, so if you don’t see any posts for the next few days, don’t worry! We’ll be back to sharing soon!

In the meantime, I’ll be sharing fun ideas for toddlers on Instagram and our Facebook page, so come and follow along there!

I’m putting the subscribe link here one more time, just in case you missed it! I’d hate to not have a way to keep you in the loop any more… so make sure you subscribe! 

SUBSCRIBE TO GET ALL TODDLER APPROVED POSTS

Watch for more details on the newly designed toddlerapproved.com site soon! It is going to make it so much easier for you to find simple and awesome ideas for your kids!

xo,

Kristina

The post BIG NEWS! (You won’t want to miss this!) appeared first on Toddler Approved.

RELATED: There are so many benefits of music on child development. Read three of our other favorite hands-on music activities for kids HERE.   

HOW TO SET UP A MUSIC SENSORY BIN


Materials Needed for a Music Sensory Bin:

• Plastic underbed storage tub (we love our 32QT sterilite bin)
• Sensory bin filler (for ours we used colorful dried rice)- you could use dried rice, beans, noodles, etc.
• Plastic Easter eggs
• Jingle bells (variety of sizes)
• Magnets (we love our Magnet wands)
• Other fun instruments (We love these ribbon bells)
• Rhythm sticks
• Vinyl tablecloth for the floor

• Lay down a vinyl tablecloth or towel on the floor or table.
• Place the dried rice (or other sensory bin filler) in the plastic storage bin and place the bin on the vinyl tablecloth.
• Add in the instruments, eggs, jingle bells, and magnets.
• Start exploring!

Make egg shakers!


The plastic eggs are fun for the kids to fill with rice and then snap closed! Kids can then use their egg shakers to make music!

Sensory bins allow kids to develop so many skills. 

Benefits of sensory bins:

• They are fun!
• They encourage imaginative play.
• They get kids off of screens and using their bodies to play and move.
• They allow kids to explore new textures and use their five senses.
• They help kids develop their fine motor skills.
• They can be calming and help kids focus.
• They teach kids self control.

Do you have any other fun ways you’ve explored music with kids? Share in the comments!

Join us each week for our Kid Approved Life Skills School this summer.

We are taking simple important skills that kids need to learn and we are making them fun!

The activities are simple and hands-on.

The skills are ones that we think are important for kids to know as they become teens and adults.

We don’t have to wait until they are adults. We can start preparing them now!

Did you miss any of the skills we’ve shared so far? Find them on our Hands-On Life Skills Activities landing page HERE.

The post Music Sensory Bin Hands-On Learning Activity for Kids appeared first on Toddler Approved.

We love to let kids ride their scooters around or rollerblade as they hunt. This way they get their bodies moving in fun ways too!

I love finding ways that I can get all four of my kids engaged in an activity! Having a big age spam makes that tricky sometimes, so you need to be creative.


This activity was a hit with all four of them (ages 4-12).

The post Sound Scavenger Hunt Listening Activity for Kids appeared first on Toddler Approved.

RELATED: There are so many skills for kids to learn. Read more about the 6 skills we think are most important HERE.

Benefits of Music on Child Development


Music is important in the early years, as it affects children’s intelligence and emotions, and helps them develop their skills, including:

• Early language development
• An increased ability to learn foreign languages
• Improved mood and emotional regulation
• Physical endurance
• Patience and discipline
• Gross and fine motor skills
• Ability to recognize small differences between sounds (auditory discrimination)
• Cooperation and cross-cultural awareness
• Improved memory and concentration
• Self-confidence, self-esteem, and self-expression
• Higher scores on standardized tests such as the SATs

(Source: School of Rock)

Music related things to talk about with/teach your kids:

• Talk about different sounds and explore them in your environment.
• Teach kids about different instruments and try them out.
• Read books about various musicians.
• Talk about rhythm & dance/clap along to some of your favorite music.
• Talk about how you feel when you hear different songs/types of music.
• Practice repeating sounds and phrases and having kids repeat them back to you. Try out some echo songs.
• Sing songs together!
• Use percussion instruments to keep time.
• Make instruments and play them together to music. 
• Teach kids round songs where they can each take a different part and work together.

 

As with anything, children learn best through play. Music can be explored in your home through playful activities and open-ended play!


Teach Kids to Explore Music Skills in Simple Ways!


Learning about music doesn’t need to be complicated. Introduce music to kids in fun ways!

We have 4 simple activities you can use to explore music with your kids this week!

Download Printable Music Skills Activity Plan HERE

This music activity guide includes…

• Some simple things to talk about/show kids
• A supply list for the activities
• 4 simple music themed activities
• Movie & book ideas

** Some of the activities, books, and movie titles are clickable on the plan and will direct you to a YouTube read aloud or Amazon rental link (not affiliate links).

 

Music Themed Activities for Kids

 

Here are four simple music themed activities to try this week. More details about each activity are included in the activity plan.

 

 

 

1. Go on a Sound Scavenger Hunt

 

Music is everywhere! Everything around us makes sounds. Encourage kids to start using their ears to listen and see what they hear.


GO HERE for Sound Scavenger Hunt details!

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Make Homemade Instruments


You can make instruments with simple things you have around the house! Once you’re done, make a family band!

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Play Name that Instrument


This simple game exposes kids to a variety of instruments and new vocabulary words.

 

 

 

4. Make a Music Sensory Bin


Shake, bang, and tap while you explore this easy to set up sensory bin!

Go HERE for Music Sensory Bin details!

 

 

Download Printable Music Skills Activity Plan HERE

Did you know that June is Black Music Month?

 

It’s is an annual celebration of African-American music in the United States. It was started as Black Music Month by President Jimmy Carter on June 7, 1979 who declared that June would be the month of Black music.

 

In honor of Black Music Month, we’re also sharing some awesome resources with you in our activity plan that can help introduce kids to some fabulous Black musicians.

 

Little Black Book Nook shares five musically inspired picture books. Read her list HERE.

Dolisha at Little Black Book Nook shares so many great ideas! She is a curriculum specialist that promotes social emotional learning, inclusion, and social justice through books. Follow Little Black Book Nook on IG here.

 

 

We read the books What a Wonderful World, Get Up Stand Up, and He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands via YouTube.

 

Then we listened to each song related to the book and talked about what the messages were.

 

Here Wee Read has a wonderful collection of Black Music Book Recommendations for Kids. Read them all here.

Charnaie at Here Wee Read is a great resource for diverse books. I love her Instagram account and blog. Follow Here Wee Read on IG here.

 

 

Do you have any other favorite books that share about Black musicians? Please tell us in the comments!

 

 

Join us each week for our Kid Approved Life Skills School this summer.

We are taking simple important skills that kids need to learn and we are making them fun!

The activities are simple and hands-on.

The skills are ones that we think are important for kids to know as they become teens and adults.

We don’t have to wait until they are adults. We can start preparing them now!

 

Did you miss any of the skills we’ve shared so far? Find them on our Hands-On Life Skills Activities landing page HERE.

 

 

 

 

The post Music Themed Activities for Kids appeared first on Toddler Approved.

• easy and quick to set up (attention spans are short!)
• taste-safe (for kids who try to eat everything)
• movement based (since they rarely sit still!)

These 18+ easy play ideas for kids ages 9-18 months are ones that I have tried or plan to try with my son… and they feature awesome ideas from many of my favorite bloggers… and a few from me too.

Just click on the links below to get more details on these 18 easy play ideas for kids ages 9-18 months…

Sensory Play Ideas for Babies & One Year Olds

Sticky Grab by Happily Ever Mom


Make a Sensory bag via Plain Vanilla Mom


Green Pea Sensory Bag via Happy Toddler Playtime

Create a Water Sensory Bin via The Iowa Farmer’s Wife


Go on a Texture Trip via Toddler Approved


Sparkly Squish Bag via Toddler Approved

Put together some soapy sensory jars via Hands On As We Grow

Create a treasure basket via The Imagination Tree

Make a Sensory Play Area via Toddler Approved

Ocean Squish Bag via Toddler Approved

 

Music & Art Ideas for Babies & One Year Olds

 

Edible Painting by Toddler Approved


Tummy Time Painting via Mama Papa Bubba

Cardboard Box Paint with Water via Toddler Approved

Put together rainbow bottles/music shakers via My Little 3 and M

 

Make some instruments via Toddler Approved

 

No-Mess Smush Painting via Happy Toddler Playtime

 

Do some destruction art via Creative with Kids

 

Sound Treasure Basket via Childhood 101

 

Do some mess free car painting via Toddler Approved

 

Stomp Painting via Views from a Stepstool

Gross & Fine Motor Ideas for Babies & One Year Olds

Card Slot Drop via Busy Toddler

 

Build and knock down cup towers 

Baby Ring Grab via Happy Toddler Playtime

Create a DIY tugging box via Laughing Kids Learn

Play with cardboard rolls and pom poms via Toddler Approved

Make a simple obstacle course via Hands On As We Grow

Drip Drop Car Wash via Toddler Approved

 

 

 

Clothespin Pull via Days with Grey

 

 

Building with Spices via Toddler Approved

 

Tape Pull Fine Motor Activity via Mama Papa Bubba

 

Do some ball and Tube Play via Octavia and Vicky

Make a Peek-a-boo Jigsaw via Nurturestore

 

Drive cars on the Window  via The Imagination Tree

 

Make a car ramp via Toddler Approved

 

Do some dropping and dumping via Toddler Approved

 

Kitchen Whisk Fine Motor via Hello Wonderful

A few other super duper simple ideas that I do with my 16 month old include…

 

• Pretending to take naps in big sister’s bed (and then waking up… and then “going back to sleep”)
• Shooting pom poms down ramps through paper towel rolls
• Exploring a pan full of rice crispies using measuring cups… and then crushing them
• Making a paper towel roll marble run for marbles, blocks, and pom poms
• Splashing with hands in a pan of shallow water

If you have any other favorite easy play activities for 9-18 month old kiddos, please share them in the comments!

 

By the way, some of these activities are totally fun for siblings to do together or for kids 18 months + so give them a try if you have an older kiddo too who you think might like these.

You can find more activities for babies and toddlers in my e-book!!!

 

 

 

Zero to Two: The Book of Play (my e-book) is full of fun activities for babies and toddlers. Download your copy here!

 

The post 18 Easy Play Ideas for Kids Ages 9-18 months appeared first on Toddler Approved.

What is Life Skills School? 

** Some of the activities, books, and movie titles are clickable on the plan and will direct you to a YouTube read aloud or Amazon rental link (not affiliate links).

Here’s what the Life Skills Activity Plan looks like each week:

Here’s a look inside the activity plan.

Each week we will link the Life Skills theme for the week on this page. Bookmark or pin this page so that you can refer back to it!

Life Skills Activities for Kids

1. Week 1- Map and Navigation Skills 

2. Week 2- Music Skills 

Do you have any life skills that you feel are important for kids to learn? Tell us in the comments!

The post Hands-On Life Skills Activities for Kids appeared first on Toddler Approved.

Why do kids need to learn navigational skills?

• Kids need to learn how to get around their towns and neighborhoods. 
• They also need to know how to understand a map and what different symbols mean so they can get from place to place. 

These skills take time to learn, but there are simple fun things you can do to get started, even with young kids!

You don’t need to wait until kids are old enough to go off on their own to learn about maps and navigation.

Start when they are little and help kids learn to be good observers. 

Point out places around your town and have them help tell you how to go there and get back home. 

By the time they are old enough to go off independently, they will have years of observing and practice with directions and using maps under their belt!

As they get older, you can teach your kids how to use GPS, but also make sure they know how to read a map! Technology can be inconsistent sometimes (especially on adventures outdoors). Help them be prepared for all situations.

Map skills & navigation skills are critical life skills that kids and adults need to have!

Navigation & Map Skills to Teach:

• Show kids different kinds of maps
• Teach them the parts of a map- symbols, water, parks, roads, map key, etc.
• Show them how to look at and draw a birds eye view
• Show them how to follow a path on a map
• Teach them about a compass and directions. 
• Talk about the locations in your town and how to get there and home.

Teach Kids Navigational Skills in Simple Ways!


Maps don’t need to be complicated. Introduce maps and towns and directions to kids in fun ways!


We have 4 simple activities you can use to introduce maps and navigational skills to kids!

Download Printable Navigation Skills Activity Plan HERE

Here’s a look inside:

Each week includes…

• Some simple things to talk about/show kids
• A supply list for the activities
• 4 simple activities
• Movie & book ideas

** The book and movie titles are clickable on the plan and will direct you to a YouTube read aloud or Amazon rental link (not affiliate links).

This week’s map themed activities:


1. Build a map of your room


Use paper and markers to make a map! Toddlers can team up with a parent or sibling to create theirs.

2. Go on a treasure hunt (using the map of your room)


Grab some treasure or a favorite toy to hide and have a sibling or parent try and find it using your treasure map!

3. Follow the leader adventure


Go on an adventure around your neighborhood and learn how to use a compass and practice saying the names of the directions (north, south, east, and west).


4. Build your own town


Use paper, markers, and building toys to create your own town!

Why did you include movie ideas? 

Because sometimes we all need a break for entertainment and time to sit on the couch, eat some snacks, and chill. 

This week all movies are map themed!

We hope you have as much fun watching them as we did! 

Join us each week for our Kid Approved Life Skills School this summer.

We are taking simple important skills that kids need to learn and we are making them fun! 

The activities are simple and hands-on.

The skills are ones that we think are important for kids to know as they become teens and adults. 

We don’t have to wait until they are adults. We can start preparing them now!

Download Printable Navigation Skills Activity Plan HERE

Did you miss any of the skills we’ve shared so far? Find them on our Hands-On Life Skills Activities landing page HERE.

The post Hands-On Map Skills Activities for Kids appeared first on Toddler Approved.

This post includes Amazon Affiliate links.


There are a lot of reasons you might be sticking closer to home this summer, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun! 


Print out this list of 40+ summer activity ideas and stick it on your fridge for when your kids need a fun idea to try this summer! If we find some others we love, we’ll add them here as well!


These activities are a mix of super easy to prep ideas along with a few special classic summer camp activities that might need some extra supplies (like tie dye). It’s ok to mix it up!  


Pick what works for you! Click on the links below for details.


40+ Staycation Summer Activity Ideas


1. Play with LEGO all day (or try some LEGO challenges)


2. Make a box arcade inspired by Cain’s arcade


3. Host an outdoor movie night – Hello, Wonderful


4. Go on a hike (bring spray bottles to spray nature)


5. Create a family Nerf play zone

6. Play water balloon games– Love Play Learn


7. Make frozen chalk paint– Growing a Jeweled Rose


8. Paint with water balloons


9. Make homemade popsicles


10. Host a family stop motion film festival (this intro Stop Motion camp is available for free right now, read the details on Instagram to see how you can get it for free)

11. Make a grass head hair salon


12. Play with water beads – Happy Toddler Playtime


13. Host a family talent show 


14. Go play in a creek


15. Build houses out of boxes

16. Make a stuffed animal or toy hunt


17. Go get big swirl ice cream cones


18. Make homemade ice cream in a bag– Busy Toddler


19. Have a family cooking class (these are some favorite Camp Mom cooking ideas)


20. Make something with paper mache – Red Ted Art

21. Host a beach day– Flying with Four


22. Create origami – Red Ted Art


23. Build bird feeders with craft sticks


24. Do an art activity inspired by a famous artists


25. Go on a nature or bug scavenger hunt

26. Make a toy car wash


27. Go on a bike or scooter ride (these Micro mini scooters are the best!)


28. Play in a baby pool (you could even have a baby pool treasure hunt!)


29. Have a family jogging club (end it by running through the sprinklers)


30. Play with Oobleck

31. Do a science experiment


32. Camp in your backyard (or family room)


33. Make tie dye t-shirts

34. Splash the Alphabet– Days with Grey


35. Design a box road – Busy Toddler

36. Make bubble snakes


37. Host a family Olympics (or a small backyard Olympics)


38. Race ice boats


39. Paint with bubbles– Hello, Wonderful


40. Host a drive-thru cookie and lemonade/soda stand for friends

41. Make a chalk obstacle course– Hands On As We Grow


42. Paint some ice– Days with Grey


43. Read outside in camping chairs (or on a picnic blanket)


44. Make some nature soup– Happily Ever Mom


45. Try some spray art

46. Download our Activity Calendars for even more awesome ideas!

The post Staycation Summer Activity List Ideas for Kids Stuck at Home appeared first on Toddler Approved.