A short bodyweight circuit for any waiting space: star jumps, squats, wall push-ups, and hopping on one foot. Turns an inert waiting period into genuine physical activity.
How to do it
- 1"We have to wait. Let's do a quick workout instead. Star jumps — ten, go. Count out loud."
- 2Ten squats: hands on hips, down slowly, back up. Count every one.
- 3Five wall push-ups: hands flat on the wall, push yourself away and back.
- 4Thirty seconds on one foot, then swap. See who holds it longest.
Variations
- Korb-Tür: If there's no space for jumping, sit down and do seated exercises instead: arm circles, leg lifts, shoulder shrugs.
- Ausstieg: Take three deep breaths together, announce "Done. We're ready to wait now," and sit quietly for a moment before the call.
💡 Parent tip
Do it with them. A parent doing star jumps in a waiting room normalises physical activity as a thing adults do, and makes the child laugh.
What your child develops
- Gross motor — full-body coordination in a sequence of movements
- Body literacy — learning the names and feel of different muscle groups working
- Self-regulation — channelling pent-up energy into a structured physical outlet
Safety notes
- Adapt if the waiting area is small. Wall push-ups are safer than floor push-ups in public spaces.
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