Parents need extra information for how to keep their children occupied from infancy through late adolescent stages. There are many ways to keep a child interested in either a sport or activity, which promotes socialization, coordination, and higher order thinking skills. Sometimes the activity involves several pieces of equipment that may require regular maintenance or extra income. Being on a budget can be somewhat stressful when raising children.
Hopefully, the following ideas will help you find safe and economical exercise equipment for your children.
1. Utilize free items – legs and arms are great for running, jumping, climbing, and even building. Take your children to a nearby park with playground equipment specific to your child’s age. All of you can spend time together for free.
2. On-line auctions (Ebay) – Many people have computers at home with internet access. If not, visit your local library for internet access. On the internet are several auctions or on-line bidding websites that include anything you can possibly imagine. Enter the equipment your child needs in the search area to find what you’re looking for. Some mini stores are also available here that buy in bulk making the prices less expensive for you. Some items may be new or nearly new, but don’t neglect the used items. Investigate the seller with email and/or read all information about the product. If you are not fully satisfied, most sellers will accept returns if noted.
3. Community – Inquire at your local school, children’s clubs, religious/secular organizations, and sports teams for donations, hand-me-downs, and even new items waiting to be utilized by children.
4. Friends and family – Check your personal phone book for cousins, neighbors, and even older siblings who can pass equipment on to your children. This is also a great idea to share for birthday or holiday gifts.
5. Sports/exercise equipment stores – Even though your child needs accessories for an activity does not mean that you have to purchase everything brand new. Some stores that sell sports related items will accept used equipment to resell at lower cost or even as a donation. The yellow pages may also include listings for actual used sports equipment stores.
6. School –School districts offer activity/exercise programs for children. The instructors may have extra equipment for you to borrow from the school gym teacher.
Depending on the specifics of the program, children can use empty oversized coffee cans that can support legs and arms in stretching. The plastic trash bags for the kitchen (13 gallon) can become a stretch band for exercising. Large pillows may be a substitute for a floor mat. Small pillows support head and neck when exercising on the floor. A sturdy footstool with rubber bottoms to prevent slipping may be used as a “stepper” or even a grasping bar if there is an extended back to it. When extra padding is helpful, pillows slipped under oversized shirts or sweatpants can protect from bruising and falls.
What a child wants and what a child needs are certainly two different things. Sometimes financial reasons make the decision for you. Before saying “no” or “not this year”, please review this list of ideas for a healthy, social child who actively participates in the school, church, and/or community activities.
