A TEE SHIRT DRESS + PLAYING P.E. TEACHER

One of the biggest perks of homeschooling has definitely been the freedom to move our bodies when we get squirmy or need a little break… No need to wait for the recess bell or plan around the morning or afternoon hustle. Our default has been going for jogs, bike rides, jumping on the tramp and workout videos or circuits but lately I’ve been feeling like it’s time to spice things up! Made a list of simple ideas for indoor and outdoor recess or P.E. below. Also linked outfit details!

One of the other perks of schooling and working from home has been being able to get dressed based on a mood instead of our schedules. Finding that I start most days in sweats or leggings and then swap into real clothes if the weather gets nicer, lol. What about you!?

OUTFIT DETAILS | dress (wearing a small — also LOVE these weekend tee dresses), sweater (similar), headband, sneakers

10 OUTDOOR P.E. GAMES TO PLAY

1. JOGGING CLUB: This is kind of a nod to the annual walk-a-thon my kids look forward to every year, but the concept is simple. Get outside and walk, jog, scoot or bike laps around your block, cul-de-sac, track, etc., and see how many you can do! Give out marbles or bracelets, mark their hands, or whole punch a card every time they trot by.
2. BACKYARD GYMNASTICS: Practice cartwheels, head stands, hand stands, summersaults, walking on a balance beam, or make a dance ribbon (our of thick ribbon 😜) and practice a routine.
3. JUMPROPE: So many fun games and challenges on this site (even for little ones!). We have enjoyed having these jump ropes handy in our garage! This set looks great too!
4. FOUR SQUARE (or wall ball): All you need is sidewalk chalk to draw your square and a recess ball. Also love this color version for preschool and younger!
5. HULA HOOP: Here’s some fun ideas!
6. KICKBALL, SOCCER, WIFFLE BALL, STREET HOCKEY, OR HEAD TO A LOCAL COURT FOR TENNIS OR PICKLE BALL! or just move the ping pong table outdoors 😬
7. TRAMPOLINE COMPETITIONS: We love doing bum wars (where you jump up and down from your bum to your feet) until there’s a winner. Could also play monkey in the middle, ring around the Rosies, crack the egg, or poison (throw balls on trampoline and jump around, trying not to let the balls touch you, or play more like dodge ball but with one jumper and everyone else tossing balls onto the tramp). It’s also a lot of fun to break out the bubbles and have the kids pop as many as they can.
8. MAKE AN OBSTACLE COURSE or RELAY: Take all the inspiration from field day or field game activities (think 3-legged race, potato sacks, etc.)!
9. PLAY CORN HOLE: Great for hand-eye coordination!
10. LONG JUMP: Set it up with sidewalk chalk or a measuring tape in the grass and measure how far everyone can jump!

10 INDOOR P.E. GAMES TO PLAY

1. GO NOODLE: You’re probably sick of me sharing this web site but it’s so good! (You can also find it on YouTube)
2. KID BOP DANCE: for a daily dance break.
3. PLAY SOME OF THE CLASSICS: Simon says, hide and seek, pig pen, hot lava, don’t touch the ground (with balloons), etc..
4. SWORKIT APP: They charge for an adult account, but you don’t have to sign up to access all the kids workouts + activities for FREE!
5. INDOOR SOCCER DRILLS: some footwork drills for your little soccer players they can do in a small space inside. Make it easier on a rug/carpet or harder on a hard floor.
6. COSMIC KIDS YOGA: Another video resource I mention often!
7. MOOVLEE: More yoga, please!
8. RELAY RACES: Use an open room, long hallway or staircase. You could balance items on your heads or in a spoon (plastic Easter eggs work great!) or fill a laundry basket with matched socks. This pancake stack game is another good option!
9. PARTNER YOGA FOR SIBS: love this! I bet the kids would come up with lots of other fun poses or movements to do with two people. Try a double person summersault or leg wrestling for older sibs! These YOGA GAMES look fun and could do indoors or outside!
10. ANIMAL WALKS: More for little kids, but shout out animal names and have the kids mimic how that animal walks or moves! Kangaroo, crab, bear, etc. Have fun with it!

When all else fails on indoor days, move a mattress onto the floor and practice tumbling or onto the stairs and build a slide!

The kids have been trying to get me to apply for a substitute teacher position when this is all over and I keep trying to convince them to let me be their homeschool teacher forever. Haha! Will have to see where we’re all at, at the end of this, but for now I’ll just soak up this time with them and try to make sweet memories for all of us to look back on. I have a feeling it’s going to be a lot like being pregnant — a bit of a grind while we’re in the thick of it, but when it’s over we’ll mostly remember the good stuff.

LOVE YOU!!! THINKING OF YOU!!!

xo, Rae