More physical activity oriented gift ideas for kids

As I was reading this month’s Better Homes & Gardens magazine, I came across a few kid-tested toys that will help keep your child entertained and active. This list is a continuation of my Great Nutrition and Physical Activity Gifts for Kids–Part One post.

The BH&G magazine suggests the Wobble Deck by Diggin. This toy looks like a balance board for kids and helps them learn balance. It is especially designed for kids > 5 years old. I can just picture my niece giggling while trying to balance herself! Other products from Diggin include a football, baseball and bat, modified soccer ball, and wheelee ball.

Although I had previously mentioned Twister, I did not know that Twister also has a Dodgeball version, called “Twister Dodgeball” by Hasbro. I can even see us grown-up kids playing THIS game!! You have a Twister dodgeball and arm bands, you throw the ball to another player of a different colored arm band and they have to avoid getting hit by the ball (at least that is how I think it works!).

I also mentioned Dance Dance Revolution and the like, but forgot about High School Musical’s Dance Mat by Zizzle. It runs on batteries and plays music from High School Musical. The circles light up to tell you where to step and dance. I have heard mixed reviews about it, but if your child really likes HSM and you don’t have a game system or money for Dance Dance Revolution, this might be the toy for them.

Another toy that my husband said our nieces “have to have” is the Hyper Dash by Wildplanet. This toy contains a joystick and plastic, colored domes. You hold the joystick, and it calls out a color; you have to place the joystick on the appropriate colored dome before it calls out another color. It is best played in a field or in a large room, so that kids get the most of their activity. However, I can see some kids putting the domes nearby so that they don’t have to run or be active…. From what I understand, this game also times how long it takes you to get the joystick on the dome–I can see my husband and his buddies challenging each other to a game to see who can finish it the fastest (maybe in an inebriated state)! This game reminds me of an active version of the Simon Says game from the 80s.

Hope you enjoy these games too!

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