7 Fun Games for Father’s Day & Beyond
17th June, 2010 - Posted by - 4 Comments
Whether you’re a father, a grandfather, an uncle or a caring adult in a child’s world, playing with young children is a way to bond, share quality time, model physical activity and skills — and have FUN!
Here are a few ideas of simple games and activities you can do this Father’s Day and beyond. And don’t be shy ladies — you can get out there, too!
Hula Hoops
1. Musical Hoops: Boogie around the room to the music until it stops, then jump into any hula hoop that is on the floor (one per person). Add some extra fun and movement practice by giving a designated movement skill to do inside the hoop before boogie time starts again.
2. Driver’s Seat: Get inside the Hula Hoop with your child. Pretend it is a car. Who will be in front and be the driver and steer as you move around? When your child takes the driver’s seat he is practicing stability. Make it a bit harder by adding some resistance to the child’s pull. What type of car are you driving and where are you going? Use your imagination!
3. Hoop Toss: Create a big target such as milk jug or soda bottle (filled with some sand to weigh it down) and toss the hoop to land around the target. Start close and slowly increase the distance.
4. Get Rolling! Roll hoops across the yard or gym to get children practicing running and catching. Vary the distance to vary the challenge. Increase the fun by rolling more than one hoop at a time and see which one the child decides to catch.
Socks
5. Duck Waddle: Place a basket or other container about 10-12 feet away. Children will put a rolled up pair of socks between their knees and try to waddle over to the basket to drop the socks in. Make it harder by increasing the distance. Make it sillier by putting socks under their arms too!
6. Crab Walks: Place a basket or other container about 10-12 feet away. Children will put a rolled up pair of socks on their tummy as they crab walk over to the basket to drop the socks in. Make it harder by increasing the distance or the number of socks. What else can they balance on their tummy?
7. Bean Bag Fun: Make beanbags from socks. Partially fill socks with rice or small beans. Sew ends of socks shut to keep beans from spilling and the children from putting the beans in their mouths. Toss the bean bags into a big container such as a laundry basket or try to balance them on different body parts.
It doesn’t matter what you do — just get out there, get moving and HAVE FUN with the young children in your world!
Want more simple ideas for physical activities? Check out our monthly physical activity calendar.
Happy Father’s Day! — Bethe 
These fun ideas were inspired by Head Start Body Start Master Trainers Clersida Garcia, Ph.D., Northern Illinois University; Meg Greiner, Independence Elementary School,. OR; Kristi Mally, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-La Crosse; Rae Pica, Moving & Learning, NH; Steve Stork, iHealth Center for Integrated Wellness, TX, and Advisory Board Member Diane Craft, State University of New York at Cortland.
Get more great play ideas and join the We Play! movement at Childhood 101.
Tags: childhood, ECE, fathers day, fun, head start, movement, Parent, Physical Activity, Play, preschool
Posted on: June 17, 2010
Filed under: Parent, Physical Activity, Play
4 Comments
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June 17th, 2010 at 2:02 pm
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Catherine
June 18th, 2010 at 10:47 am
I like the idea of the duck waddle. I’m always looking for active games so I might try that one. Getting a hula hoop was a big hit at my place – they are very versatile.
Christie - Childhood 101
June 21st, 2010 at 1:59 pm
Love the duck waddle and it has been so long since we rolled hoops, what a great list.
hsbs
June 26th, 2010 at 2:08 am
Thanks, Christie!
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