10 playground activities for adults too
Adults would also benefit from refreshing a few of the skills they learned on the playground as children. Not only are they great fun, but activities like walking on stilts train balance, strength, mobility and endurance at the same time.
Ideas for having fun
Who doesn’t remember the old games they played in their childhood. While simply ‘playing’, children exercise their balance, strength and endurance at the same time. We present our 10 favourite activities. Not only do they provide inspiration to have fun but are an effective form of exercise at the same time.
1. Walking on stilts
Stilts bring out the circus artist in all of us, not just children. The popular activity develops coordination and balance. There are stilts for children and adults in various designs: whether tins or wooden poles, it doesn't matter – with a bit of practice, the fun factor is guaranteed.
2. French elastics
Jump yourself fit – with that classic of all playground games. To play elastics, all you need is a simple length of elastic and at least 3 enthusiasts. The jumping game exercises agility, rhythm and physical control. If you can't remember the rules and chants, just ask your own children or get inspiration from: gummitwist.ch (in german).
3. Skipping
If you’d rather go it alone, the best way of training your jumping strength and stamina is by skipping: with intermediate jumps, crossovers and double swings. There’s no need to go for overkill, since skipping works up a good sweat anyhow.
4. Juggling
It doesn’t have to be burning torches from the word go – as a beginner, you’re better off starting with balls, clubs, scarves or rings. Juggling not only boosts fitness, but also coordination and balance and trains joined-up thinking skills.
5. Handstand
Child’s play? More like a full body workout. For a handstand you not only need strength in the arms and upper body, but also stability in the abdominal and back muscles.
6. Trampoline
With their urge to move and play, children especially love trampolining. It also develops mobility, coordination, motor skills and the sense of rhythm. For adults, too, the wobbly surface reactivates hidden strengths and makes for a strenuous cardio workout.
7. Skateboard
Experienced skateboarders make it look so easy. But anyone trying for the first time will soon find out: keeping your balance is not as easy as it seems. But, with a bit of perseverance and practice, skateboarding can become great fun. Many people find it easier to start with a longboard. But whether skateboard or longboard, if you’re not entirely confident, it’s best to wear protective gear during your first attempts!
8. Inline skating
Almost as cool and still familiar to many from their younger days is inline skating and roller skating. Besides being a lot of fun, skating is also quite strenuous after a while and a serious endurance sport. The same rule applies: wear protective gear!
9. Hula hoop
It’s not for nothing that the hula hoop has been trending again for some time: the hip-based swing loosens the hip joints and spine, and boosts torso stability too. It’s now rare to find the classic style of hula hoops used in the past. Hula hoop fans today rave about the somewhat thicker, heavier hula hoops with protrusions. They are said to strengthen the connective tissue and tone the torso muscles at the same time.
10. Splits
The supreme discipline – the splits. Even for those who could slip easily into the splits as a child, splaying legs horizontally may well be an impossible feat today. However, experts claim that learning to do the splits is possible at almost any age. Depending on flexibility, consistent training will get you there within a matter of months.
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