Water Exercises to Try This Summer!
Summer is here in Oregon, and many families are heading to pools or other bodies of water to cool off. The water is a fun place to play and a great way to get stronger! Water provides resistance, buoyancy, and input from the pressure. Here are 5 fun activities you can do with your child in the pool. Remember, safety is super important, so always watch your child when they are in or around water.
- Sitting on a Pool Noodle
- Have your child sit on a pool noodle and see how long they can balance without using their hands or feet.
- Now, have them sit like they are on a swing and try again!
- This helps improve balance and core strength.
- You can also play catch while they balance to make it harder and improve hand-eye coordination!
- Horse Races
- Have your child straddle a pool noodle and run or hop from one side of the pool to the other.
- This exercise works their whole body!
- If they are in deeper water, it’s harder and gives more input.
- They can do this without a noodle too!
- Blast Off!
- Help your child lie on their back in the water.
- Have them place their feet against the wall, bend their knees, and count down.
- On “Blast off!” they can push off the wall and see how far they can go!
- This helps make their legs stronger.
- Wall Hand Walking
- Have your child hold onto the edge of the pool with their body in the water.
- They can “walk” along the edge using only their hands.
- Make sure the pool deck isn’t too hot to hold onto.
- Add fun obstacles to go over or see how far they can go in a set time.
- This exercise helps their arms get stronger.
- Stair Pick Ups
- Place fun items on the stairs or in shallow water and have your child squat down to pick them up one at a time.
- To make it harder, have them walk up the stairs and place each item on the pool deck.
- This is great for kids who aren’t ready to go underwater yet.
- It helps their legs get stronger and improves hand-eye coordination.
If you have questions or are looking for more ideas, contact us at Inspire Physical Therapy for Kids. Have fun and stay safe while exercising in the water this summer!
