Keeping kids active is an ongoing challenge, especially in the era of smartphones and video games. Although many families build playground equipment in their backyards, some climates are too rainy, cold, or hot to allow year-round use outdoors.
Indoor gyms are an excellent solution for kids, and they can be customized to suit their age and interests. It's easy to install a few basic pieces in the corner of a playroom or the basement.
The focus for kids gym equipment needs to be a balance of fun, safety, and developmentally-appropriate activities. Some equipment choices depend on the child's age, but many items can grow with the child for at least a few years. Here are eight great home gym ideas to keep your children happy and healthy.
Small Trampolines
Trampolines are both easy and fun for children of all ages to manage. Children under the age of five will require supervision to make sure they consistently jump vertically, but once they have the hang of it, they can use it on their own.
Trampolines help build leg and core muscles and are also a good test of kids' balance. If you have more than one child using the gym, make sure they understand that only one child uses each small trampoline at one time. You may want to buy a second one if needed to avoid conflict, but make sure to keep them a few feet away from each other to avoid collisions.
Climbing Ropes
Thick ropes with a few knots in them are perfect for kids who love climbing. They provide a good workout for the entire body, especially if you increase the distance between knots over time.
Keep in mind that climbing ropes can be a challenge for kids of any age who lack the upper-body strength to do them at first. Kids may need lots of prompting to practice using it if they can't manage it the first few times. However, once they hit second or third grade, they should manage the rope like a pro.
Monkey Bars
Monkey bars are generally easier for kids than climbing ropes because kids have to move themselves sideways, not upward, and can use their swinging motion to build momentum. However, monkey bars still build excellent upper body strength and hand-eye coordination.
Monkey bars for children up to third grade should be no higher than 5 ft. off the floor to help prevent serious head injuries. If you decide to build your own monkey bars, make sure the bars are spaced no more than 1 ft. apart so your children can swing across safely.
Reviewing The Best Gymnastics Bars For Kids
Gymnastics bars are great tools for channeling children's energy into something productive and healthy. Children are known to have an endless supply of energy, and a gymnastics bar gives them the needed platform to use their energy exhaustively. Our team extensively reviewed the available gymnastics bars to bring you the finest gymnastics bars in 2022. These bars were selected based on criteria like ease of use, flexibility, and stability. Gymnastics bars are not only meant for kids that have an interest in gymnastics, but also for kids who need something to play around with at home. Kids do not require elaborate gymnastics skills to use them, but you should still always be mindful of your child's safety. Gymnastics bars create a balance between fun and exercising for kids. Also, they make for a great birthday present.
The Shiwei gymnastics bar allows kids to have fun without worrying about weight. It supports up to 330 lbs of weight and can extend to 5 feet in height, hence it can be used by almost any kid regardless of their weight or height. It’s made of fiberglass material that is lightweight yet sturdy, allowing you to move the bar easily and providing long-lasting durability. Also, it comes in both pink and blue color options, so you can pick a color that you believe would appeal to your child the most.
The Tepemccu gymnastics bar features a foldable design that makes it easy to move the unit around and also requires little storage space. The bar is easy to set up, and the heights are adjustable to five varying lengths to suit the user (maximum height at 50.8″). Plus, it supports up to 140lbs in weight, making it suitable for use by most kids. There are four anti-slip foam rings at the base that provide enhanced stability to the structure, prevent slippage, and protect the floor against scratching.