Kids’ Activities You Should Try as an Adult

When I need workout inspiration, I look to my kids. My kids will just run laps around the house because they’re playing some crazy game only they understand. They’ll climb trees and furniture for the fun of it. They’ll jump up and down for minutes on end just because they like how it sounds. I put bubble wrap on the ground the other day and watched as my kids bounced and entertained themselves jumping on it to pop it. When’s the last time you jumped for even a minute for fun?

That boundless energy, that need to move for the pure JOY of moving? I wish I could bottle that and sell it. But because I can’t, I try to join in on the kids’ activities when I can. It’s when you join in on that fun that you realize why you don’t do some of those things any more. Because they’re hard! And when you haven’t done those things in about 20 years or more, you’re out of practice, making even simple things seem way harder. And the funny part is that your brain thinks thinks it’s still cool, that your body can still do those things. And your brain is wrong. Here are a few of the things I’ve done as a parent that had me feeling my age.

Somersaults. The first time I demoed a somersault for my oldest was maybe the last I’ll ever do one. I seriously saw stars afterwards. I don’t remember them being that difficult.

Cartwheels. I used to have a mean cartwheel, but man, those are more demanding than I remember.

Monkey bars. Seriously? I used to be able to do these like NO PROBLEM. I’m not an American Ninja Warrior; it has been confirmed.

Jump rope. Jump for Heart? No problem. I even got the T-shirt. But as an adult, jumping rope is tough.

Hula hoop. I swear, it’s not me; it’s the hoop. I cannot get the thing to cooperate. I think it’s because it’s too light and I need the hoop to be heavier. At least that’s what I’m telling myself.

Head stands. HA! Just did one of these last week. It was like riding a bike. If by “riding a bike” means you feel woozy for 10 minutes afterwards.

What kid activity have you done as an adult that left you in recovery mode? That head stand was tough, but I kind of want to keep doing them. Hashtag weirdo. —Erin