Ah, the Olympics. The only time you can sit on your couch watching TV all day and feel like an athlete! But don’t let this happen to you. This is yet another opportunity to get active with your kids. Here are a few ideas to get off the couch while you are watching the amazing athletes.
Watching a skating event? Do the speed skater and see if you can keep up.
Stand with feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart. Hop to the right, bending right knee and reaching your left hand in front of right foot as you cross the left leg behind you. Hop to the left, reaching right hand in front of left foot crossing right leg behind you.
Speed Skater
Watching a ski event? Lay down a rope (or use an imaginary one). Stand on one side with knees slightly bent and feet angled at about a 45 degree angle toward the . Jump over the line turning so knees and toes are at a 45 degree angle toward the line on the other side. Move forward and backwards as you are jumping.
Line Jump
Watching ski jumping? Squat down and jump when the athletes jump.
Watching snow boarding? Stand sideways with feet wide. Squat down, jump and rotate 180 to face the opposite direction.
Watching luge? Lay down on your back then lift your head, shoulders and legs and see if you can hold it for an entire luge run. Your abs will thank you.
When the games are over, plan on taking your kids to the local skate rink, sledding hill or ski mountain and do it for real.
You can also do some brain exercises to complete the well-rounded athlete you are developing. The Olympics are a great time to teach your kids about other countries. Pull out the world map and point out the countries of the gold, silver and bronze winners. Learn the flags and a little about the culture of the countries of some of your kids favorite athletes. Make the Olympics more than just a spectator sport!
