I'm An Activity Expert – Try These 5 Games When Your Kid's Grumpy And Bored

“Mum! I’m boredddddd.”If you’ve already heard this phrase – or a variation of it – more times than you can shake a stick at recently, you’ve come to the right place. Chris Sharman, a children’s activity expert and founder of Kidztivity, suggests movement is often the one thing that helps kids get out of a slump and can “turn things around”.But sometimes when you’re trying to work or doing a million other jobs around the house, it can be hard to find the creativity to come up with something for them to do. While there’s an argument for letting kids be bored – psychiatrist Dr Carl Marci says letting your kids figure out how to keep boredom at bay could be more beneficial than stepping in for them – sometimes you just need them to stop moaning for a bit, in which case Sharman has shared some handy tips.“Movement doesn’t just burn energy. It resets the brain, sparks joy, and helps kids feel more like themselves again,” said the activity pro. Here are five quick, movement-based resets that take five minutes or less – perfect for when your child needs a boost and you’re short on time.1. Animal sprints across the living roomGet them to move like their favourite animals: leap like a frog, stomp like an elephant, slither like a snake or flap like a bird. The sillier, the better.It’s fun, fast and burns off emotional static that often shows up as grumpiness or restlessness. You’ll get giggles, but you’ll also get those heart rates up and endorphins flowing.2. Dance-it-out playlistHave a go-to playlist of three high-energy songs ready to blast when moods dip. The rule: everyone dances, however they want, until the song ends. It’s a great release for frustration, overstimulation, or boredom. No choreography needed, just movement and music. 3. The five-point challengeSet up a five-station obstacle course using what you’ve got: sofa cushions, masking tape on the floor, chairs to crawl under, and a pile of socks to aim at a bucket.The messier and more improvised the set-up, the more fun it tends to be. Let them take over designing the course, too – it gives them a sense of ownership and gives you time to make a cuppa!Time them and challenge them to beat their score. It’s great for focus, confidence and shaking off a mood.4. One song tidy up racePick one upbeat song (less than 3 minutes long) and challenge them to see how much tidying they can do before it ends. It turns a chore into a mini game, gets them moving, and shifts attention away from the original stress. There’s also something grounding about bringing a little order to their space.5. Shake it out countdownStand together and do a big exaggerated shake: start with one hand, then the other, then a foot, and so on. Count backwards from eight with each shake: eight shakes per limb, then seven, six, and all the way down to one. By the end, you’ll both be laughing, breathless, and feeling lighter.This can be brilliant for releasing tension that can build up when routines change. Use it before transitions – whether that’s between activities or before bed. Good luck!Related...Yes Really, Let Your Kids Be Bored – It's Good For Them5 Survival Tips For Parents Already On The Brink Of Summer BurnoutI'm Stressing About Summer Holiday Childcare – What Are My Options?

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