Playground Games that Count as Moms Exercise
As the weather gets cooler, I see parents lined up on the park benches of playgrounds around our city and suburbs. I believe we have some of the best parks around in Memphis and I’m glad we have open spaces to take our children to, even in the city. But let’s not spend this beautiful season in these beautiful places on the sidelines. Besides the value that engaging with our children during playground games will bring to their lives, we can make it mom’s time to exercise.
Monkey bars, ladders, swings, and slides can provide a full body workout. It’s not called a jungle GYM for nothing! Whether you are hitting up a traditional gym or doing triceps dips on a park bench, moving more will provide physical and mental health benefits. Need some motivation? You will improve your metabolism, heart health, bone density, mental focus, mood, and more.
Now before any mommas get upset with me, I know sometimes we are just WORN OUT and the entertainment of the playground can be a necessary relief. But I also know that as a women’s health provider, the biggest pushback I get to movement is time. We want to be present for our kids but have to take care of our bodies as well. How can we find the time to do it all? Make playground games time fitness time.
Play can be a great opportunity to strengthen muscles and improve endurance while keeping your kids healthy too. It’s a chance to burn off energy for the little ones and actually improve mom’s energy. Yes, even when you don’t feel like doing it you, activity leads to more energy for other things (find more energy tips here).
Looking for a new place to play? Check out Memphis Moms Playground Roundup to see some of our favorites.
So, next time you are at the playground, remember these 5 Playground games that you can count as moms exercise:
Tag
Sprints across the playground to tag whoever is “it” can be great cardio without the boredom of a treadmill. Add some variety by throwing in skips, butt kicks, lunges, and arm circles along the way. Yes you will look silly, but I promise your kids will have that much more fun.
Monkey Bars
Following your kids on the monkey bars uses major upper body strength. You also get a great core workout and you can further hit your abs by doing a few knee pulls into your chest before you hop down. Alternately, use the bars for a pull up contest and be proud when your kid beats you.
Hula hoop
The hula hoop is one of the cheapest toys and pieces of exercise equipment. However, it may take a bit of practice to pick the skill back up. It is a great cardiovascular workout and engages the deep core muscles of the stomach and low back.
Hopscotch
A hopscotch game can be turned into exercise by hopping on one foot, extending your legs far behind you, and retrieving your rock from the ground while staying on a single leg. The body benefits include improved stability and balance.
Jumping Rope
Skipping rope is a fantastic cardiovascular exercise. It may even surprise you how quickly you tire out while jumping rope. It’s a great way to build up endurance over time by seeing who can last the longest or challenge yourself to a certain time (maybe a minute longer than last week).
Play really can be one of the best forms of exercise. I guarantee your kids are still getting hot, sweaty, and winded on these lovely autumn days at the park, so why shouldn’t you?
