How to use bouncy mats and climbing frames to conjure up a sports corner in your own four walls where the little ones can really work out.
Children need exercise. But what to do with all that energy when the weather is bad and the sports club is closed? A question that many parents are currently asking themselves – especially when they cannot spend the day with snow and fun, but should show their full performance in the home office.
Kurt Vierthaler, co-founder of dadslife.at and father of two, also knows the problem: “At the latest in the first lockdown you felt how important it is for children to be able to move.” The managing director of the product advisor platform knows that children’s bicycles are , which has developed into the largest German-speaking fathers community with 1.2 million visits, was the first big boom as a result. The second was climbing frames, climbing walls, and trampolines. The latter category has a decisive advantage, especially in winter: it can also be used indoors as an energy-dissipating playground for couch potatoes.
Question of space
But where in the apartment can you find space for a children's sports corner? And what basic equipment should you invest in? “For children of pre-school or elementary school age, the classics are wall bars, climbing walls or climbing triangles.
There is also strong demand for large soft building blocks – triangles and squares with which you can build towers or caves and on which you can jump, ”says Vierthaler. In general, skipping is a favorite activity for many children – in the absence of other options, preferably on the parents' bed or sofa. Vierthaler: “In order to channel this urge to move, bouncy mattresses or a small indoor trampoline are useful. Rings are also a great thing, as the children can make rocking movements. “
Wall bars and fall protection mattresses
The choice of models for the gym at home is huge. Basically, according to the dadslife.at managing director, the trend is towards high-quality models made of wood. Vierthaler: “Sustainability is a big issue for us in the community. And with smaller children, parents are often concerned with the educational benefit. ”The trend towards quality also has a furnishing advantage: today gymnasts can be designed in such a way that they match the atmosphere of the home.
But safety is more important than optics: “Fall protection mats should be laid out on wall bars. Younger children are not so good at assessing dangers and a climbing wall is 1.5 meters high, ”says Vierthaler. So don't skimp on the quality of the mattress. Installation is important in this context. Vierthaler: “You should always pay attention to what age and what weight you buy equipment.”
Many great furnishing elements – see dadslife.at tips above – can do without Monday and can be moved from one room to the other without any problems. If you have to use drills, hooks or dowels, care should be taken. Vierthaler: “After all, everything has to be really stable and safe. If you are not so skilled in your craft, you should consult a professional in case of doubt.
Climb, explore and slide
Sustainable game concept for climbing, building a cave or sliding
Climbing triangles made of wood like this high-quality model from Ehrenkind are tailored to babies and toddlers in terms of height and rung spacing. With a suitable slide board, you can also turn the climbing triangle into a slide or a chicken ladder. Can be assembled and folded in 10 minutes. Sales price: 189 euros plus shipping costs.
A stream for the nursery
Gonge Nordic River Stones: minimalistic hopping fun
This river stone set by Gonge offers an exciting challenge. The aim is to hop from stone to stone without touching the ground. This trains the sense of balance, movement coordination and motor skills. Each side of a triangle varies in degree of inclination and difficulty – definitely sporty fun for adults too. Sales price: 49.90 euros.
Perfect romping, jumping, gymnastics
Gentle on the sofa, strengthens the joints, muscles and balance
Hop, romp, do somersaults? So that the bed and sofa no longer have to serve as a trampoline, a bouncy mattress like this model from Traturio is perfect: Free of harmful substances, cover washable up to 40 degrees, made in Germany. Traturio jumping pads are available from 119.90 euros. The alternative for children up to 60 kg who want to go even higher: an indoor trampoline.
Always in balance
Seesaw, bridge or bench made of wood
The versatile balance board, which is also suitable for adults, also comes from the Ehrenkind company. Selling price from 69 euros. If you want even more variety, you should take a look at the climbing and swing sets from Gorilla with swing, rings, trapeze, ladder and rope.
