Why is hopping, gymnastics and rough-and-tumble play so important for children?

1. Exercise is healthy

Children tend to move less and less. Even at school they spend a large part of their time sitting. Because of smartphones, online games, movies, Facebook & co., physical activity often falls by the wayside. Football club or the dance group are not always enough to provide balance.

That's why unstructured movement and movement games like rough-and-tumble play, gymnastics and hopping are especially important for children's health in everyday life.

• Exercise helps prevent back and postural problems.

• Exercise, together with a vitamin-rich, balanced diet, ensures a healthy weight and physical fitness.

• Exercise strengthens self-confidence and the child's psyche.

• Exercise promotes social learning and thinking2. While roughhousing, children practice interacting with others and learn to recognize boundaries

Rough-and-tumble play and gymnastics are perfect for learning social interaction and the

promotion of emotional development.Children learn to

• argue and make up again.When wrestling they measure their strength and at the same time learn the

• to respect others' boundaries.The kids learn the

• value of teamwork and solidarity.Aggressions and stress are reduced.

• Children learn their

• own psychological and physical abilities and limits, and thus get to know themselves better.Physical activity strengthens the

• confidence in one's own abilities and creates additional security in life.So your children can, with sufficient exercise,

go about their daily lives much more balanced and carefree.3. Rough-and-tumble play makes you smarter

Rough play also trains thinking and your children's cognitive performance in many ways:

Sufficient exercise

• stimulates the circulation and drives away tiredness after a long, tiring school day. This stimulates the brain and the performance in mental tasks is increased.Certain movement games also promote sub-skills such as

• dexterity,coordination, perception, reaction speed and /magazine/parenting-psychology/physical-development/balanceStudies have shown that a sufficient amount of exercise can significantly improve school grades and the concentration

• of children.Outdoor games for autumn and winterOf course you don't have to hide away in the apartment all autumn and winter. If the weather cooperates, you can also play nicely outdoors. Whether in the forest, in the park, on playgrounds or in the home garden - exercise in the fresh air feels good and strengthens the immune system. There are also plenty of adventures to be had here! Parks or schoolyards have the advantage of offering a lot of space: popular movement games like tag, "Fisher, Fisher, which flag is blowing today?", dodgeball or other ball games offer lots of fun and action here.

Toys and equipment for indoor rough-and-tumble, gymnastics & jumping

Toys for hopping and jumping

You will be surprised how easily a

children's room can be turned into a little adventure spot

can be conjured up, where exuberant romping is not lacking! Children love to hop and jump and in the process train their coordination and balance.Children's jumping pads made of non-slip gym mat material let children "fly" and can be used as a cozy lounger-sofa during calm times. Jumping balls provide just as much fun or

hopping horses in cheerful bright colors. The classic skipping rope of course must not be missing.Dexterity and coordination toysIt doesn't always have to be wild romping - dexterity toys tickle the finesse out of your little ones! Balancing toys such as

balance stones and balance domes

train the sense of balance and patience, soft darts, skittles and ring toss games promote concentration and also encourage a fun little competition.Train dexterity and balanceChildren love to challenge gravity. Swinging, balancing and climbing train the coordination between head and body. HABA offers helpful tips on how you can promote your child's dexterity and balance.

Fun sports & fitness in the children's room

Children are full of energy and need an outlet to burn off steam - fun sports should therefore not be limited to PE class or clubs, but also have a place in their free time!

From the

hula hoop

to skateboards up to the boxing set - there are a variety of fun sport and fitness products that are also great to use in the apartment. From crawl tunnels and skittles you can build your own small parkour where your child can test their speed and dexterity.Gym mats & soft building blocks for homeThe be-all and end-all for a room fit for rough play is good padding!

Non-slip

gym mats or lying pads made of foam provide the ideal surface for hopping, gymnastics and romping.Cube folding pads or soft building blocks

in various geometric shapes can be assembled into many different things - whether a cave, wall or tunnel, here your child can let their play imagination run free! School beginners can with ABC puzzle play mats test their patience and dexterity and at the same time learn the ABC.Rough-and-tumble and playing indoors: what to consider?It may get a bit louder

It's part of a child's nature to be able to romp around forgetfully and wildly - in the apartment it can get a bit loud. Whether screeching, laughing or thumping - you will experience an

increased level of noise during gymnastics and rough-and-tumble play

that cannot be avoided.Of course, you should pay attention to an appropriate amount and a limited timeframe so as not to annoy neighbors. For example, you shouldn't romp around too wildly late at night or early in the morning, in order not to disturb the sleeping hours of other household members. A little understanding for the child's urge to move

and the noise that this can sometimes bring, however, you may well expect.Safety when romping in the children's room Of course it requires a few small safety measures when the apartment and children's room are turned into a playground. Soft

rubber and foam blocks, mats and cushions,

with which the floor or dangerous corners and edges can be padded can be.Also clear away any toys lying around and create a large, free movement area

When rough play indoors gets too wild: when should the fun be over?Even though children have incredible stamina when doing gymnastics and rough play - when it becomes dangerous or shows disregard for playmates, the fun is over! It is important to agree on rules together with your child in advance that make it clear that there are limits even when romping wildly.Point out possible sources of danger

Make your children aware of the

responsibility towards playmates

• clear

• Make it clear that rough physicality and lack of consideration are unacceptable even when roughhousing and wrestling and will result in an immediate stop to play.

• Agree on a stop word, that both players and adults can use, when it becomes too much

• If the rules are clear in advance, your little one can let off steam freely and exuberantly on their adventure playground in their own four walls!11 game ideas for gymnastics, hopping and rough-and-tumble play indoorsWith simple accessories, children can occupy themselves imaginatively in the apartment for hours: cushions, blankets, a chair, a rope laid on the floor or balloons are enough. Here are some ideas that get them moving and are fun:2. While roughhousing, children practice interacting with others and learn to recognize boundaries

1. Who slides the fastest?

Players:

For two or more children

Material

: one cushion per childHow it works:

Each child sits on their cushion. After the start command, everyone slides as quickly as possible to the previously agreed-upon target in the apartment, for example the end of the hallway, a cupboard, a door.2. The paper ball battle

Material: crumpled paper or beer coasters

With a string, a room is divided into two playing halves. The players split onto the two halves. Each group receives the same number of paper balls and tries to throw as many as possible into the other team's field. They, of course, return the balls as quickly as possible. The game ends after an agreed time.

: one cushion per childHow it works:

3. Sock football a pair of rolled-up socks

Material: Instead of a soccer ball, the socks are shot through the apartment. Chair legs, a door or a cupboard serve as the "goal".

4. Balloon tennis

: one cushion per childHow it works:

3. Sock footballFor two children

Material:a string, an inflated balloon, two newspapers or magazines

A string at belly height divides the room into two halves. Each child rolls up a newspaper as a racket. The goal is to play the balloon back and forth as often as possible without it touching the floor. The balloons can also be played with hands only in the volleyball variant.

: one cushion per child5. Musical chairs

3. Sock football For at least five children

Material:: one fewer cushion than players, music

How it works

: one cushion per child: The cushions are placed in a circle on the floor. Then music is turned on and the children walk in a circle. As soon as the music stops, all children sit down on a cushion as quickly as possible. They may also sit two to a cushion. After each round, one cushion is removed until eventually two or three children are sitting on each cushion. When it finally gets too cramped, the game ends.

Each child sits on their cushion. After the start command, everyone slides as quickly as possible to the previously agreed-upon target in the apartment, for example the end of the hallway, a cupboard, a door. 6. Brave hikers

For two or more children Room furnishings

The floor of the living room or children's room is a sea with dangerous predators in it. Everyone now tries to get as far as possible without falling into the sea, i.e. touching the floor. For example, the children can jump from an armchair to a floor cushion and then climb on to a chair.

: one cushion per child7. Balancing on the cloud

3. Sock football a bedsheet, many balloons, a plastic cup, a tennis ball

Material:How it works:

The bedsheet is filled with the inflated balloons. A child now lies on this "cloud" and balances the tennis ball on the upside-down cup with one hand. The second child plays the "wind" and gently nudges the "cloud". The child on it tries to keep the ball on the cup despite the rocking.

: one cushion per child5. Musical chairs

3. Sock football8. Obstacle course

Any From household items

In a long hallway or in the living room, a course of various obstacles is set up. These can be pots, clothes, cushions, blankets or other household items. The players have to overcome this course by hopping on one leg, going backwards, with a spoon holding a boiled egg, with a balloon between their legs or in other ways. The time is stopped, and for accidents with the egg there are penalty seconds.

: one cushion per child9. The floor is lava

3. Sock football Everyday objects and furniture

Any The floor is lava – and must not be touched under any circumstances. This begins an exciting climbing tour over sofa, bed, desk and chairs. Those who want to protect furniture and set up their own small climbing course can use soft building blocks for this.

10. Build a fort

: one cushion per child9. The floor is lava

3. Sock football: blankets, cushions, building blocks, gym mats

Material: Soft building blocks, cushions and gym mats are great for building dens. Here your child can also get creative and "incorporate" various pieces of furniture or everyday items like chairs, umbrellas, blankets and clothing. Once the den is built, it provides a great retreat or encourages imaginative and role-playing games.

11. Pillow fight

: one cushion per child9. The floor is lava

Each child sits on their cushion. After the start command, everyone slides as quickly as possible to the previously agreed-upon target in the apartment, for example the end of the hallway, a cupboard, a door.Players

Material:: For two or more children

: Cushions

Pillow fights are among the classics of romping games in the house and are still fun for many adults! Just grab soft cushions and throw them at each other. Watch out for nearby corners and edges! The pillow fight works best in a large open space.

Each child sits on their cushion. After the start command, everyone slides as quickly as possible to the previously agreed-upon target in the apartment, for example the end of the hallway, a cupboard, a door. , for example ball games, climbing and balancing, as well as catching and wrestling games.

Material: The most effective way to prevent accidents is to agree on rules in advance. This way the kids can romp around wildly and carefree!

Image credits

Child playing in the forest with father© dusanpetkovic1 - stock.adobe.com