Break games: 8 ideas for more movement at the rest area

Car trips on vacation can be pretty exciting with the right preparation. But even with the best entertainment, drivers and passengers usually look forward to a little break to stretch their legs a little. Children in particular have a great urge to move and use the stops at rest areas to romp around properly. However, since space is usually limited, we have collected a few great ideas on how little exercise fans can still get their money’s worth.

1. Jumping Jack

Many of you probably know this classic movement exercise from school sports – but the jumping jack is still very popular with many children today. First, stand up straight: feet together and arms along your body. Then you jump up, putting your feet apart and folding your arms over your head at the same time. With the next jump you return to the starting position. This sequence of movements can be repeated as often as you like.

2. Mimic animals

Children find guessing games particularly exciting when they require all their physical effort. In this game, a child thinks of an animal, such as a dog, and tries to portray it as authentically as possible. To do this, it goes on all fours, adjusts the gait and behavior. Animal sounds may also be imitated – but speaking is not allowed. If another child guesses which animal it is, it is their turn to “Vorgymnasten”.

3. Ox on the mountain

In this game, a child stands a few meters away with its back to the other players and says: “One, two, three, four, Ochs am Berg!” The other players must try to move towards the child as quickly as possible. As soon as the word “mountain” is spoken, the child turns around and all players have to stop as quick as lightning. If you are caught moving, you have to go back to the start. Whoever reaches the “ox” first wins the game.

4. Who comes highest?

Here, whoever has it in their legs wins: Mom or Dad hold out their hand to the child and the child has to try to high-five it. First, start low, so the child has to bend down to get the hand. But then it goes higher and higher in small steps: Gradually the hand is held higher and higher until the child finally has to jump to reach it. Whoever gets the highest wins.

5. Angel, fly!

If mum and dad want to stretch their feet and stroll around the rest area, this cute game is ideal for relaxing tired limbs. Parents walk with the child and hold their hands. After a few steps, they call out: “Little angel, fly!” and carefully pull the child up between them. This movement game is well suited for service areas that offer little space away from the vehicles.

6. Limbo

This fun game is great for getting your circulation going again: the children dance under the limbo bar, which is initially still high. After each run, the limbo bar is lowered, increasing the level of difficulty. Whoever can bend down the deepest wins. If there is no cane, mum and dad can shake hands and let the children dance underneath.

7. Wheelbarrow Race

With an exciting wheelbarrow race, every rest stop break is guaranteed to be a real experience. To become a “wheelbarrow”, the child lies on his stomach and supports himself with his hands on the ground. Mom or dad raise their feet so the child has to walk on their hands. Then the siblings compete: The winner is whoever can circle the car the fastest with mum or dad.

8. The Gordian Knot

If you are traveling with several children, the Gordian knot is a real insider tip that not only requires flexibility but also brains. Here’s how it works: All the children stand in a circle, close their eyes and shake hands with the person opposite. This is how the Gordian knot is formed, which must be unraveled by everyone together. The most important rule: The hands of the other person must not be released in order to form an “unknotted” circle again. This imaginative game is all about teamwork and puzzles – a wonderful pastime!