303 Kid-Approved Exercises and Active Games (SmartFun Activity Books)

We all know kids can't sit still—so let's tap into that energy for health and fitness

Elementary-school kids are always thinking and moving. They naturally find new, creative ways to use their growing bodies and wold rather dance or skip form Point A to Point B instead of just walking. Kids this age need variety and like games and exercises that are both fun and challenging. The more they get a kick out of fitness now, the more likely they will continue to be active and healthy throughout their lives.

These fitness activities develop:

• Balance
• Coordination
• Friendly competition
• Muscle strength
• Sports skills
• Teamwork

Hundreds of ways to turn kids on to fitness

With so many kid-approved exercises in one place, getting started couldn't be easier. Each exercise and active games comes with helpful icons showing group size, whether props are needed, how much space is needed and whether physical contact is involved. Exercises and games are grouped by type, including mind-and-body exercises, stretching and flexibility exercises, cardiovascular exercises, exercises for developing muscle strength, sports-related activities and more.

303 Kid-Approved Exercises and Active Games provides parents, teachers and counselors with activities especially designed for children ages 6 to 8 as well as information on how best to teach them. Wechsler explains the importance of recognizing that each child develops at his or her own pace and how to use what the group has in common to get the most out of each session. A section at the beginning of the book talks about planning ahead, putting safety first and adapting to weather and the environment.

Teachers and parents may find they're having just as much fun as the kids.

Kimberly Wechsler has a Bachelor of Science from Texas Christian University. After having two sons she became a health and fitness trainer. In the past 20 years she received nine certifications in fitness instruction and personal training, has been a dance instructor, fitness instructor specializing in kid's fitness, personal trainer, a physical education teacher, a health coach, master aquatics trainer, muscle conditioning and flexibility coach, Pilates instructor and student of Integrative Nutrition.
She has lectured at numerous fitness seminars, taught cooking classes, hosted a television show, been a national presenter at health and fitness conferences, developed five successful summer fitness camps for kids in Massachusetts, volunteered as a coach for The Boys and Girls Clubs of America, and served on the Governor’s Council and Presidents’ Council of Youth Fitness.
In 2011 she founded a non-profit organization, Replay4Kids and since 2009 is the CEO of Fitness Productions LLC, a company that designs and searches for quality products that will guide and support families to a healthier, more balanced life in natural health, nutrition, fitness, personal growth and creative expression. To learn more visit www.loveyourworkout.com
She makes her home in Frisco, Texas.