Movement During Quarantine Part 2: Equipment

Incorporating a variety of equipment to use for movement activities will increase engagement and add fun to your quarantine-at-home movement! This list is a great start for equipment that is likely at your home already, or cheap and easy to purchase.

Balloons - Cheap, simple, easy. See how long you can keep it floating as a team. Add a balloon or two for a challenge. Use only certain body parts to keep it floating.

Light scarf or tissues - Ideally already at home. Throw the scarf or tissue in the air and see how many times can you do _____ (jump, skip, squat, jumping jack, high knees, etc.) before it hits the ground.

Socks - Already at home. Rolled up socks and a laundry basket can be great for target practice. Try various throws (underhand, overhand, chest pass, roll). Try balancing on one foot while throwing to target. Or simply play catch with rolled up socks to substitute outdoor ball play.

Painter's Tape - Ideally already at home. Can be used as a "balance beam" on the floor. Start with a straight line, then curved, zigzag, and finally, spiral. You can also do lateral or forward/backward hops over the tape. Add a challenge by jumping over the line side-to-side with only one foot.

Bubbles - Cheap, or simple and easy to make your own mix! Try popping bubbles with various body parts only. Add challenge by balancing on one leg.

Books - Large, hardcover books can be stacked and carried at the belly. A laundry basket full of books or similarly weighted objects can great for pushing and pulling activities. Make it into a relay race or a race against the clock!

Toilet Paper - I love featuring the use of a roll of toilet paper for exercises in "Music & Movement LIVE with Coach Sam." The possibilities are too many to go into, but a favorite is placing the TP roll on the ground and doing quick toe taps, a great indoor and stationary cardio activity.

Cotton Balls - Ideally already at home or cheap to purchase. Have a Cotton Ball Pick-Up Challenge using all fingers, various combinations, toes, or kitchen tongs. Play Cotton Ball catch to substitute for an outdoor game. Try a Cotton Ball Blow Race - on belly with straw (or not) to blow cotton ball to a specified end point.

Paper Plates - Ideally already at home or cheap to purchase. Great for "skating" on most indoor surfaces.

Various - Beanbags (balance on various body parts as you move), chairs (great for an obstacle course), clothespins (good pincer grasp work), hula hoop, jump rope, cones, scooter, mini trampoline.

Be creative and always remember, if you're having fun and engaged in a movement activity, your kids will be too! A light sense of competition can be a healthy motivator. Use a timer to see if activities can be done faster a second time. Try to play games as "Grown Ups vs. Kids.'