Parents and carers have endless play inspiration at their fingertips with the launch of a new project.
Active Imaginations has been designed to keep toddlers’ brains and bodies active. Public Health England has worked with parents in Hull to film dozens of simple ideas for games that can be set up in minutes and entertain for hours, all with things often found lying around at home.
Each video in the Active Imaginations site is just a few seconds long and explains how to play and what is needed.
Parents can turn plastic bottles awaiting recycling into an indoor bowling alley, created a basketball court in the living room using socks or got caught up in a dance party by playing music on a phone.
Watch young children playing “balloon keepy uppy” in one of the videos below:
Active Imaginations launches on Friday September 27 at the Parks Children’s Centre, where parents can try out some of the suggestions.
Hull will be among the first places in the country to pilot the project.
Councillor Gwen Lunn, portfolio holder for Public Health and Adult Social Care at Hull City Council, said: “This is a fantastically simple idea. We already know through consultation that it really resonates with parents.
“There are so many fun, simple games and activities which you can look at online and be playing in minutes. They’re all designed around things you’ll already have at home. It’s an entirely free resource. You don’t need an app, just pop to the website and spend a few second watching the video guides.”
Children play as part of the Active Imaginations project.
Gemma Mann, children’s health and wellbeing lead at Public Health England, said: “Moving more helps young children to develop motor skills, improves cognitive development, helps them maintain a healthy weight, enhances bone and muscular development and supports the learning of social skills.”
The Active Imaginations project is part of established Public Health England campaign Start 4 Life, the early-years element of Change 4 Life, which focuses on nutrition and physical activity for children. Learn more here.
