Physical Therapy: Indoor Exercise Ideas

Carrie Barlow is a licensed Physical Therapist, Board Certified Pediatric Specialist, and Director of the Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy programs at Franciscan Hospital for Children. If you have Physical Therapy related questions, please email us at info@fhfc.org or call (617) 254-3800, ext. 2180.

Physical Therapists love it when people move.  Exercise is wonderful in so many ways. But now that the weather in New England is starting to change and afternoon sunshine is starting to fade, how can you keep your kids moving indoors?

In celebration of October being National Physical Therapy Month, our Physical Therapy team is sharing some fun indoor exercise ideas that you can try with your family!

Celeste suggests a game of “Animal Walking”.  You can be a crab (hands & feet on the floor, tummy & hips up in the air), bear walk (hands & feet on the floor, hips high in the air), slither like a snake or flap your arms like a bird.  Animal Walking is great for core muscle strength and coordination!

Aimee likes to turn couch cushions into workout equipment.  These ideas are good for smaller children.  You can make a mountain from cushions on the floor and have your little ones climb up.  Turn the cushions into a giant set of stairs to practice climbing, or just try standing on a cushion.  It can really challenge your balance!

Lizzie uses music to inspire kids to move.  Try some of the classics like “Head Shoulders Knees and Toes”, the “Hokey Pokey” or “Going on a Lion Hunt”.   Use all kinds of music – folk songs for the simple beat, classical music that soothes or jazz it up.  Moving to music can really get your heart beating, which is excellent aerobic exercise for your heart and lungs!

Me? I’m always ready for a “Pretend Sports Challenge.”  You can pretend almost any and every sport, no equipment necessary, safely indoors.  Try your hand at imaginary baseball – swing that bat and run those bases! Skiing (falling can be fun too,) playing tennis with a pretend racket and ball, ice skating and of course swimming are other fun options.  You could even host a pretend indoor Triathlon!  All of these movements improve strength and coordination.

Kick your creativity into overdrive and see what other indoor games you can play with your children that help them move forward!

What indoor games or activities keep your kids moving?