With COVID-19 School Closures, Where Is P.E.?
Schools closing for the rest of the year was a daunting thought when we first started hearing the announcements about it in March. Thanks, COVID-19.
Many parents have had to figure out how to work from home and keep their kids busy and learning for many many weeks. Now that we’re nearing the end of the school year, we can congratulate ourselves for making it this far.
Several parents, though, are still overwhelmed, in shock, and stressed out. The fact that the school year is coming to an end may take away some of the pressure of facilitating school at home; but kids are still at home and they need to get their energy out. And there’s still no P.E. (or after school sports)!
All kids, from the little ones to the nearly adult ones, have energy that needs to be put to constructive use. In fact, the CDC recommends that kids ages 3-5 be active throughout the day and that kids ages 6-17 get at least one hour of “moderate-to-vigorous” exercise every day. Have your kids’ wiggles been driving you crazy? I hear you.
What Are Some Indoor Physical Activities For Kids ?
I needed my daughter (age 7) to be physically active (for everyone’s sanity), so I researched and found a bunch of online (and some offline) solutions for people ranging in age from 4 months-adult. I like to share what’s working for me with other parents, so here you go:
For Grades PreK-5
1. GoNoodle (https://family.gonoodle.com): This is a free site that most kids are already familiar with. Many teachers use it in schools in order to help infuse some physical activity into the day. And I’m sure it comes in handy on indoor recess days. There you will find short videos containing physical exercise for kids like dance alongs, mindfulness activities, and yoga videos. Some of the videos are even in Spanish. Parents can sign up for a free account (optional) and be sent the latest news from the site. GoNoodle is also an app compatible with iOS and Android devices.
Cost: $0
Can parents do this, too? Yes! (It’s fun to do some of the workouts with your kids.)
2. The Little Gym of South County (https://www.facebook.com/TLGSouthCountyMO): The Little Gym is a chain of children’s gyms with physical locations. During this time, they are offering free online classes to keep kids active. You can find classes for kids as young as 4 months through elementary school on their Facebook page. They go live every week. Find their schedule below:
- Mondays @ 9:30am CST (ages 4-10 months)
- Mondays @ 10:30am CST (ages 10 months – 3 years)
- Wednesdays @ 10:30am CST (ages 3-6 years)
- Thursdays @ 5:00pm CST (ages 6-12 years)
- Fridays @ 9:30am CST (ages 10 months – 3 years)
Cost: $0
Can parents do this, too? Yes! (Sometimes the teacher may request parental assistance, if available.)
3. Cosmic Kids Yoga (https://www.youtube.com/user/CosmicKidsYoga): This is a YouTube channel geared toward children ages 3+. You will find a number of yoga and mindfulness activities (guided relaxations, brain breaks, yoga poses, yoga disco) here. Many children will likely enjoy the yoga adventures where a story (e.g., Harry Potter, Frozen, Moana) is told through yoga poses. Currently, this channel has over 450 videos. More videos are added weekly.
Cost: $0
Ad free app (https://app.cosmickids.com/): 14 day free trial, $10/mo, or $65/year
Can parents do this, too? Yes!
4. KIDZ BOP Dance Along (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMr-d2PLsO95ydptpBnsxdQNSKc9iUNU0): You may know of KIDZ BOP as the brand that records kids singing kid-friendly versions of the latest pop songs. The songs are great for kids to sing along to, and kids enjoy the music videos as well. Now KIDZ BOP has a 60 video library of dance alongs (videos that feature kids dancing to KIDZ BOP hits). They are designed for other kids to dance along to. I think of KIDZ BOP dance alongs as Just Dance (see K-12) with kid voices and lyrics and real kids (as opposed to cartoon characters) on video.
Cost: $0
Can parents do this, too? Yes! If you like dance, you’ll probably find yourself dancing along right beside your kids.
5. Moovlee (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsSS5kMpKCaJ_HhTM9-HKHg/featured): This YouTube channel features an animated monkey who moves to different music. Kids can mimic a variety of motions from yoga poses to cardiovascular moves.
Cost: $0
Can parents do this, too? Yes! You may not be into this one so much, though; I bet it would be fun to watch a little one move with Moovlee.
6. Coach Josh Kids Fitness (for toddlers and preschoolers) (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTU8A3yuFEw9fecpExufLcg/videos): This YouTube channel has about 24 short videos featuring a man in front of a cartoon background. He leads kids through gross motor activities while at the same time helping them practice skills like counting and animal recognition.
Cost: $0
This is also a show that streams on Amazon Prime Video ($12.99/mo or $119/year):
Can parents do this, too? Yes! This one is not for adult fitness, though. Parents would likely play more of a supporting role.
7. The Kids Coach (https://thekidscoach.tv): This company was created by an occupational therapist and a kids’ personal trainer. The site has hundreds of fitness and wellness videos for kids. They are categorized by age (2-18). They post new content regularly.
Cost: 7 day free trial, then $19.99 AUD = &12.82 USD per year
Can parents do this, too? Yes!
8. Sanford Fit (https://fit.sanfordhealth.org/?utm_source=WeAreTeachers&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=Sanford_1906_ARTICLE): This website is about more than physical activity. It provides free resources (categories: food, mood, move, recharge, and more) to support adults who help kids live a healthy lifestyle.
Cost: $0
Can parents do this, too? Yes!
9. Master Kim’s Kum Sung Martial Arts (https://www.facebook.com/MasterKimsKumsungMartialArtsSTL/photos/a.524268144332574/2900849933341038/?type=3&theater): This is a martial arts school based in St. Louis, MO. Their programs are for students 2 years old and older. They are offering free online martial arts classes on Zoom (meeting ID and password on schedule, linked above). Real talk, my daughter went to the first class and it seemed like the instructor did not know how to mute the participants, so it was loud and a bit chaotic. That was several weeks ago, so hopefully things have changed.
Cost: $0
Can parents do this, too? Yes! You can participate with your child, or you can take the adult classes for free.
10. Kids Yogaverse: I AM LOVE (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/kids-yogaverse-i-am-love/id409949659): This app comes recommended by the US Surgeon general. It was the first iPad app designed to teach yoga to children around the globe. It is only available for iPhone and iPad.
Cost: $3.99
Can parents do this, too? Yes!
For grades K-12
1. Just Dance (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0Vlhde7N5uGDIFXXWWEbFQ/videos): There are a number of YouTube channels dedicated to the popular dance game, Just Dance. Gamers play the game and upload the recordings. Kids can dance right along with them. There are lots of different types of music, and the videos range in length from very short (under 2 minutes) to quite long (over 90 minutes). I’ve done this with my daughter, and it’s a great workout.
Cost: $0
Can parents do this, too? Yes! It’s fun!
2. Just Dance Now (https://justdancenow.com/): This is an app that can be downloaded on the App Store and on GooglePlay. It provides a way to play the Just Dance video game without a video game console. You can use your smartphone as the controller and it tracks your moves. There are over 500 songs available to dance to; some of them are free. Kids can dance to the free songs in order to earn coins for the songs that require coins; they also can pay for a VIP pass which, for a specified length of time, makes all the songs free. In addition, this can be a great social tool, as there is no limit to the number of people that you can virtually dance with.
Cost: $0 – $24.99 (yearly VIP subscription)
Can parents do this, too? Yes!
3. Sworkit Kids (https://app.sworkit.com/collections/kids-workouts):
This site has over 100 workouts and allows the user to create his/her own workout. There are warm ups, cool downs, and a variety of trainings in strength, agility, flexibility, and balance. Sworkit is also great for kids who are missing out on their typical training and conditioning routine for their sports. Kids can use it on a computer or download the app (compatible with ioS and Android devices).
Cost: $0
Can parents do this, too? Yes! Parents will need a paid subscription to do the adult workouts ($59.99/year).
4. Dance with Debbie Allen (https://www.instagram.com/therealdebbieallen): Debbie Allen (along with some of her master dancer colleagues) is teaching dance on Instagram! Yep, that’s right…Debbie Allen from Fame ?. This is a service that she is providing throughout the time of COVID-19. I have not been able to find a written schedule, but there seems to be a trend of classes taking place on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Some of the videos are only up for 24 hours; others you can catch later.
Cost: $0
Can parents do this, too? Yes! And you probably don’t want to miss out on the chance to be in a dance class taught by Debbie Allen.
5. The Body Coach TV (https://www.youtube.com/user/thebodycoach1/playlists): This YouTube channel has a number of playlists that contain workouts for different age groups and purposes. The P.E. With Joe playlist contains 30 minute videos of interval training. These videos can easily be done at home, as they seem to require no equipment. The Kids Workouts To Do At Home and 5 Minute Move playlists contain simple 5-10 minute interval workouts for kids. There are other playlists with workouts geared towards adults as well.
Cost: $0
Can parents do this, too? Yes!
6. Simply Soccer (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBkb8LIlO3o&list=PLze_gVfP9ouaibbixrlcXdlax6-bacd7e): This YouTube channel has a playlist called Soccer Drills You Can Do Inside. Pretty self-explanatory, right?
Cost: $0
Can parents do this, too? Yes!
7. Gopher Sport (https://www.gophersport.com/blog/at-home-learning-resources): Known as a helpful company for PE teachers, Gopher Sport has added a number of resources to their site that are designed to help children receive physical education at home. There are free blog posts, at-home lesson plans, activity challenges, and videos for families to use. They have even come up with a subscription box that provides equipment for kids to use for PE at home.
Cost: $0; Subscription boxes are $170 (1-2 kids) and $250 (3+ kids) with $10 going to your child(ren)’s PE program and can be found here: https://www.home-pe.com/
Can parents do this, too? Yes! Throwback to PE class!
8. Shape America (https://www.shapeamerica.org/publications/resources/teachingtools/teachertoolbox/Teachers_Toolbox.aspx): This is typically a resource for PE teachers. Right now, though, anyone can access activity calendars for elementary and secondary students at no cost. There are English and Spanish versions available.
Cost: $0
Can parents do this, too? Yes!
9. Moe Jones (https://www.youtube.com/user/SuperMoejones/videos): You’ll find several kids’ workouts (e.g., HIIT, yoga) on this YouTube channel. There are also videos about nutrition, phonics, and counting. In addition, there are a number of workout videos for adults.
Cost: $0
Can parents do this, too? Yes!
10. The Kids Coach (https://thekidscoach.tv): Description above (PreK-5 section)
Cost: 7 day free trial, then $19.99 AUD = &12.82 USD per year
Can parents do this, too? Yes!
11. Master Kim’s Kum Sung Martial Arts (https://www.facebook.com/MasterKimsKumsungMartialArtsSTL/photos/a.524268144332574/2900849933341038/?type=3&theater): Description above (PreK-5 section)
Cost: $0
Can parents do this, too? Yes! You can participate with your child, or you can take the adult classes for free.
For Grades 6-12+
1. Nike Training Club (https://www.nike.com/ntc-app): This is an app that is available for both iOS and Android devices. It provides users with 185+ workouts designed by Nike Master Trainers. These workouts range in length from 15-60 minutes. There are a variety of multi-week programs designed to serve people of varying athletic skills. In addition to recorded trainings, on demand workouts are available to stream.
Cost: $0 (until further notice)
Can parents do this, too? Yes!
Did you like these resources to help keep your kids active during quarantine? Which of these indoor physical activities for kids would you most like to try? Please leave a comment and share with others so that all kids can stay active and parents can keep their sanity.
