As we continue to explore physical and motor development this May at Educational Toys Online, it seemed fitting to have a look at apps that help get kids moving!
There are lots of reasons why keeping active is important for kids. According to the 2016 Active Healthy Kids Australia Report Card, when compared to inactive kids, active kids have :
- Better concentration
- More confidence & higher self-esteem
- Stronger muscles & bones
- Better balance & posture
- Lower stress levels
So, it’s important physical activity should be prioritised every day. Though it should not be viewed as something we feel like we should do, rather it should be viewed as something we do for enjoyment, as well as for better health and wellbeing.
Unfortunately however, in the digital age, kids are sitting still for longer than ever before – which is problematic for both their current and future health. National data indicates that 19% of Australian children and young people aged 5–17 years meet the national daily physical activity guidelines of accumulating at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day of the week.
To help kids and teens be active every day in a fun way, they need opportunities for sport, to play and exercise at home and school. There are lots of ways to achieve this, such as:
- Encouraging kids to walk to school (if possible)
- Being part of organised sports teams & trying out different sports/dance
- Parents being good role models and showing a positive attitude toward being active
- Buying gifts e.g. balls, skipping ropes that encourage movement
- Playing outside with your kids or prioritising family trips to the park or doing physical activities like bike riding
Outside of this, another way of encouraging kids to increase physical activity that accounts for the digital age and kids’ interest in screenplay, is using apps designed to encourage movement! Below are our Top 5 Apps that help get kids moving!
1. Pokémon GO
Your kids can discover Pokémon whilst exploring the world around them! The app uses GPS tracking and kids visit real-life locations, such as parks, schools and landmarks to catch Pokémon. With this app, it’s important to play as a family or with your child to ensure safety, and all that exploring easily builds up physical activity!
2. GoNoodle Kids
GoNoodle Kids is all about getting kids moving with screen-time that parents can feel good about! The videos are designed to get kids up and moving to be their strongest, bravest, silliest, and smartest selves. Over 10 million kids each month are dancing, stretching, running, jumping, deep breathing, and wiggling with GoNoodle.
3. NFL Play 60
This app was created by the American Heart Association and aimed at kids aged 9+ years. It’s a football themed game that gets kids moving for 60 minutes as they run fast, jump high and quickly turn to collect coins and stars, gain boosters, and earn a place on the leader board while competing against friends!
4. MotionMaze
MotionMaze is a simple maze game guaranteed to get kids up and moving in order to solve a series of mazes! The game forces kids to stand up, start running in place, and tap the screen to change direction when required as their on-screen pirate character collects treasures and locates the maze’s exit.
5. Sworkit Kids
Aimed at kids aged 7 - 14, this app turns fitness into a game with customisable workouts for strength, agility, and flexibility! No matter where kids are, at any moment there’s an opportunity to get active and have fun getting fit! Kids will love the challenges too – Do you think you can crab crawl for 30 seconds or do 10 squats? How long can you hop on one foot or Tightrope?
References
Active Healthy Kids Australia (2016). Physical Literacy: Do Our Kids Have All the Tools? The 2016 Active Healthy Kids Australia Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Young People. Adelaide, South Australia: Active Healthy Kids Australia. http://dx.doi org/10.4226/78/57AAD6BD49165