We are so lucky to have New Zealand as our backyard! But now that we are staying at home, there are heaps of online activities like Wriggle and Rhyme, dance, workouts and yoga, that you can do in your living room!
Read about the importance of rhythm and rhyme and find lots of useful links to help support children's language development in this blog post from The National Library of New Zealand.
According to the author, Vicki Stephens, "Singing, rhyming, oral storytelling, and reading aloud are essential to helping children learn a language, along with the listening and concentration skills essential for brain development and memory.”
So check out these really cool links and Youtube channels below that feature fun and entertaining workouts for kids - and parents can join in too!
Wriggle and Rhyme
Does your baby want to move and groove? Wriggling and rhyming helps babies develop their brains and bodies through active movement! We’ve put together some resources for you to have some fun at home!
“Engaging children in quality movement experiences in a fun and positive environment. Allowing children to have the opportunity to move and play positively, will attribute to the complete development of their overall social, physical, and mental wellbeing. It is all about having fun, being active, enjoying the outdoors, and developing healthy, happy well-rounded children.” – Sports Otago
They have links to Active Movement activity guides, Active Movement videos and useful websites.
QLDC Sport & Recreation
Our very own QLDC Sport and Recreation team are posting workouts on Facebook!
Dance
Join these bands, dancers and musicians while they swing, jump and jive to some catchy tunes. You will have so much fun, you won't even realise you are exercising!
Bounce Patrol
Based in Melbourne, Australia, Bounce Patrol produce catchy original kids songs and upbeat takes on classic nursery rhymes to entertain and educate. Learn colors, numbers, alphabet, animals and more as you move, groove and sing along - get up and bouncing!
For younger children.
The Learning Station
The Learning Station delivers fun and educational videos for children "filled with active participation, nursery rhymes, brain breaks for the classroom, learning videos, camp songs, dance, holiday songs, action songs, and our very popular move and freeze dance songs for children."
For younger children.
The Laurie Berkner Band
Described by People magazine as "the queen of kids' music", Laurie Berkner writes fun songs that preschoolers (and beyond!) love to sing and dance to. New music videos are released monthly.
For younger children.
KIDZ BOP
Do you like current pop music? KIDZ BOP cover modern songs and create kid-friendly music videos.
Debbie Doo: Dance & Movement Songs for Kids
Debbie Doo is a fun loving, caring and bubbly children's character who really loves to sing and dance! This playlist is a collection of original videos written with the sole purpose of getting little ones moving while having lots of fun. Get moving with these easy to learn and easy to follow dance videos for kids. Fun and energetic songs for kids with lots of energy to burn!
GROOV3 Mini Workouts
Created by professional dancer/choreographer Benjamin Allen, GROOV3 is one of the quickest growing dance communities in LA. These mini workouts are a collection of fun, easy to follow, dance workout videos. If you have 5 - 10 minutes in your day, put these routines into your daily schedule. You will have a blast, break a sweat, and feel great the rest of the day. Don't be shy...try it!
Yoga
We love going to the yoga studio, but during lockdown, downward dog at home. Namaste!
Cosmic Kids Yoga
Minecraft or Frozen yoga anyone?
Yoga, mindfulness and relaxation designed especially for kids aged 3 and up. Interactive adventures which build strength, balance and confidence and encourage kids into yoga and mindfulness early!
Yoga For Kids with Alissa Kepas
A collection of free, 5-minute yoga and meditation videos for children.
The Karma Class
Free kids yoga and mindful activities to help your family in this challenging time. Bring calm into your home and join us on an adventure into your body, breath and mind with our range of yoga classes and mindfulness activities and meditations.
Fitness
Get a great workout in the comfort of your own home!
P.E. with Joe
Joe Wicks, UK author and fitness coach, has been on a mission over the past few weeks to keep children healthy and active while staying indoors through free online 30 minute P.E. classes. These classes have been streamed to families across the world, earning Joe a brand new Guinness World Records title for the most viewers for a fitness workout live stream on YouTube. A record-breaking number of 955,185 households tuned in to P.E with Joe on the 24th March, hosted live on Joe’s YouTube channel: The Body Coach TV.
GoNoodle | Get Moving
GoNoodle videos get kids moving to be their strongest, bravest, silliest, smartest, bestest selves. Over 14 million kids each month are dancing, stretching, running, jumping, deep breathing, and wiggling with GoNoodle. Turn screen time into active time. Exercise the whole family… together!
Glenn Higgins Fitness
Glenn Higgins is a UK based personal trainer whose workouts are aimed at children. His Youtube channel hosts a selection of cool workout videos themed in super hero characters! Star Wars, Avengers, Black Panther, Joker and more!
Keep healthy and safe at home!!