ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS: 8 SWING GAMES + 8 AWESOME SWINGS FOR KIDS

For most children, flying through the air on a playground, tire, or front porch swing is just about the best entertainment there is.

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 No doubt about it, swinging is FUN – but swing games are also full of amazing developmental benefits for kids.  Movement or vestibular input  is so very important for developing balance and helping children feel safe and secure as they explore and play.  Swinging is a great way to provide this kind of sensory input for your child. Check out these unique and beneficial activities for kids – perfect for your next trip to the playground!

1 || Superman  Have the child lay with his stomach on the swing, lifting arms and legs up as high as possible, flying like Superman!  As he swings, can he reach to grab a toy or ball from your hand?  Can he catch a ball that you toss out in front of him?  Can he toss a ball to you or at a target?  This is not only a great sensory experience, but awesome for strengthening the shoulders and back!

2 ||  Tornado!  Okay, so moms usually steer away from this one because it’s “not how a swing is meant to be used”…but spinning is such a great vestibular experience for kids that we couldn’t resist!  Stand close by and help your little one turn his swing around and around a few times, then let that tornado spin!  Prefer to play by the rules on the playground?  Try the Whirl and Twirl swing or a tire swing.

3 || Tug of War  Want a new way to swing?  Have your little one lie on the swing on her stomach.  Holding one end of a jumprope, give her the other end to hold with both hands.  Stand a few feet away from the swing and gently pull the rope to get your kiddo swinging!

Then, try holding the rope still and have your little one do the pulling to move her swing! For another fun twist, have your child pull herself hand over hand up the jump rope to reach you. Then have her let go for a fun ride and do it all over again!

4 || Tower Tumble  First, help your child build a tall tower a few feet away from his swing using empty cardboard boxes or shoe boxes.  Then…well, he’ll know what to do!  See if he can get himself swinging high enough to kick the tower down!  Have him try it again, this time lying on his stomach and reaching out in front to knock the tower down with his hands!

5 || Breaking the Rules (again :) – The playground police will not be happy with us…first spinning on the swing and now standing on it?!  Gasp!  :)  Let your child stand with his feet on the swing holding onto the chains tight with both hands. If the child is older, give him a core strength challenge by encouraging him to get himself swinging independently.

If you have a younger child, give him a soft push and see if he can keep his balance and tolerate the sensory experience of swinging while standing.

6 || Hide and Seek  A twist on a favorite game! Stand in front of your child while they start swinging. Tell them to close their eyes and count to five while they keep swinging. Move to another area (to the right, left, behind, to the side, etc.) When they open their eyes, how fast can they find you? Closing your eyes while moving creates a deep challenge for body awareness and vestibular integration. How fast can they refocus to find you while they keep on swinging?

7 || Blast off!  Let kids pretend to be rockets by pushing off your hands with their feet! Every time they come forward on the swing, have your hands ready and let them give another great big push off with their feet! Don’t be shy to push back a little to help those rockets soar while providing some awesome proprioceptive input!

8 || Shake down No swinging involved for this one, but we will still need that swing.  This time your child simply has to HOLD ON! :)  Can he keep himself from falling off while mom or dad gives him a little roller coaster ride?

You provide the movement: shake the swing, spin the swing, move the swing side to side, move fast, move slow, move him between two adults forward and backward. Hold him high in the air for a count of 10, then let him go fast! Get him swinging in a circular pattern instead of forward/backward. You be the driver and provide a ride that fits with what the child can tolerate!

8 AWESOME SWINGS FOR KIDS
These are a few swings that your kids will have on their wish lists once they see them in action! Awesome, creative swings that we love here at The Inspired Treehouse!

1 || Whirl and Twirl

2 || HearthSong HugglePod Canvas Hanging Chair

3 || Swing N Slide Tire Swing

4 || Sunburst Swinging Chair

5 || Super Cool Disc Swing

6 || Monster Web Swing

 7 ||  Two-Fun Swing

8 || Regatta Swing

What are your favorite swings for kids?  Leave a comment below and share them with us!

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Claire Heffron

Claire Heffron is co-author at The Inspired Treehouse and a pediatric occupational therapist in a preschool/primary school setting. She began her career with a bachelor's degree in magazine journalism but quickly changed course to pursue graduate studies in occupational therapy. She has been practicing therapy for 10 years in public and specialized preschool/primary school settings. She is a mom to three funny, noisy boys and relies on yoga, good food, and time outside to bring her back to center.

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