Use screen time to get moving!
Movement games on gaming systems and iPad apps are revolutionising how children can engage with technology while staying active. Motion sensors, cameras and touchscreens all come in to play, helping our kids to dance, play sports, or even go on adventures from the safety and comfort of their own living room. By seamlessly blending entertainment and exercise, these games can help with therapy and exercise, promoting coordination, balance, and motor skills development all while offering an innovative solution to the ever-present screen-time dilemma! Here are a few of our favourites.*
Billed as Screentime that gives kids Superpowers, Cosmic Kids Yoga is a fantastic program designed to make yoga and mindfulness engaging and fun for kids. The program uses stories, themes, and animated adventures to guide children through yoga poses and relaxation exercises. The app and YouTube channel includs Hundreds of videos and stories to inspire movement, self-awareness and FUN.
GoNoodle is an online platform that provides interactive videos and activities designed to get kids moving, active, and engaged. It’s a popular tool used by educators, parents, and caregivers to incorporate short physical activity breaks and mindfulness moments into children’s routines, whether at home or at school.
GoNoodle offers a wide range of videos featuring dance-alongs, exercise routines, yoga sessions, and even calming mindfulness exercises.
Awarded the most innovative product award at the recent Source Kids Expo, LusioMATE is a fun way for kids to reach their goals – for example, putting on a piece of clothing, better skids on their bike, or to stand up unaided.
LusioMATE is a gaming therapy app that connects to wearable sensors which fit almost anywhere on the body, offering amazing flexibility, to suit your child’s goals. It also gives you access to a constantly expanding library of FUN ‘exergames’, where your therapist can set your child a program and track progress.
We love the hugely popular Just Dance video game series as a way to get kids moving and grooving and the Just Dance Now app allows you to enjoy Just Dance’s greatest songs and moves on the go!
Dance to a free song every day! Get ready to dance to over 700+ top global hits from around the world, including the best tunes from the Just Dance 2022 console game! Who’s going to be Beyonce!?
Get a jump start on physical fitness and fundamental mathematical concepts while exercising body and mind with Flip the Frog and his colourful friends. Your physical motion in the real world controls the action simply hold your device in your hands and jump! The higher you jump, the higher the frog jumps!
This truly is an adventure that keeps you moving. With the Ring-Con in hand and Leg-Strap equipped, it’s time to set out on a fitness-filled quest! This Nintendo Switch fitness game encourages users to explore a fantasy adventure world to defeat a bodybuilding dragon and his minions using real-life exercises. Jog in place to traverse grass-swept plains, do overhead shoulder presses to attack enemies, and strike some yoga poses to refill your health metre.
Another great movement game from Nintendo – you can swing, kick and spike your way to victory in Nintendo Switch Sports.
Grab a Joy-Con controller and use real-world movements to take part in a variety of sporting activities that’ll get your body moving. Gather friends and family to join in the fun on the same Nintendo Switch console or seek out new competitors to challenge in the online multiplayer.
The Adventures of Super Stretch
Move, play and breathe as Super Stretch introduces you to his friends and their yoga poses. Super Stretch is your guide who takes you on your journey. Using storytelling, animation and video examples, kids enjoy making NAMASTE a part of their day.
Beat Saber is a popular virtual reality rhythm game that combines music, lightsabers, and fast-paced action. It’s played on virtual reality headsets, like the Oculus Rift, Oculus Quest, PlayStation VR, and others. In Beat Saber, players use virtual lightsabers to slice through blocks that come flying towards them in sync with the beat of the music. Amazing for hand-eye co-ordination!
*Ensure that you check in with child’s physiotherapist or health provider to ensure that any activity is appropriate for their level of development and ability.
