Ideas, please!
Kathryn
A few issues to be addressed here --
No 1: BUSTING for some really good, original ideas from those out there that have high energy kids. Not necessarily structured games, as such, more a purge of energy; BIG purge, that is! We have a tramp and a hammock (used as a swing), and an old ladder that I intend to convert into monkey-bars. Backyard games, please. Our space is fairly small. Kids are 7, 4 & 1.
No 2: The two eldest are really competing for my attention at present. They are also both highly competitive of each other. Perfect example:- Mia will say, "See who gets to the hammock first" and rush out the door with Jude screaming behind her, saying, "I was going to go in the hammock!" Sometimes the situation is reversed, but the scenario is always the same. Conflict arises, and I offer to jump on the tramp with one, while the other has their time on the hammock. Then they BOTH want me and the tramp, and the conflict continues . . . There focus is not much on the activity, but who 'wins'. Jude doesn't seem to have any concept/acceptance of taking turns; just leads to more conflict . . .
No 3: Conflict! Today it escalated to outright explosiveness on behalf of both of them. We went to the local Botanic Gardens, and they both took a scooter with them. Both are Judes (4y/o) but one is preferred by both kids. Mia (7) claimed the 'better' scooter for the outing. Later in the day, neither scooter was being used and Jude started riding it. He knew as well as I did that Mia would react negatively. She did. Jude refused to give it back and they both begged, "get it off him/her!!" I didn't know what to do. Jude Owns the scooter, but Mia claimed it for the day trip. No one was riding it at that very moment. So many variables! I get why they both reacted as they did. I tried hard to help them solve their problem, but they didn't want a bar of it. They just got more and more heated. I physically stepped in, only to have Jude punch me a couple of times. At this point I lost my focus on Their Needs and turned to Mine. The old, 'how dare they take it out on me', way of thinking. I spat the dummy and insisted we go home. I kinda feel like I try to help them, and they use me as the puching bag.
Mia has always wanted More of me. I've always done my utmost to get that time with her; I'd like more one-on-one with her too! But the reality is that she has two brothers. Life's busy!
Any advice would be much appreciated.
KathrynD
x
No 1: BUSTING for some really good, original ideas from those out there that have high energy kids. Not necessarily structured games, as such, more a purge of energy; BIG purge, that is! We have a tramp and a hammock (used as a swing), and an old ladder that I intend to convert into monkey-bars. Backyard games, please. Our space is fairly small. Kids are 7, 4 & 1.
No 2: The two eldest are really competing for my attention at present. They are also both highly competitive of each other. Perfect example:- Mia will say, "See who gets to the hammock first" and rush out the door with Jude screaming behind her, saying, "I was going to go in the hammock!" Sometimes the situation is reversed, but the scenario is always the same. Conflict arises, and I offer to jump on the tramp with one, while the other has their time on the hammock. Then they BOTH want me and the tramp, and the conflict continues . . . There focus is not much on the activity, but who 'wins'. Jude doesn't seem to have any concept/acceptance of taking turns; just leads to more conflict . . .
No 3: Conflict! Today it escalated to outright explosiveness on behalf of both of them. We went to the local Botanic Gardens, and they both took a scooter with them. Both are Judes (4y/o) but one is preferred by both kids. Mia (7) claimed the 'better' scooter for the outing. Later in the day, neither scooter was being used and Jude started riding it. He knew as well as I did that Mia would react negatively. She did. Jude refused to give it back and they both begged, "get it off him/her!!" I didn't know what to do. Jude Owns the scooter, but Mia claimed it for the day trip. No one was riding it at that very moment. So many variables! I get why they both reacted as they did. I tried hard to help them solve their problem, but they didn't want a bar of it. They just got more and more heated. I physically stepped in, only to have Jude punch me a couple of times. At this point I lost my focus on Their Needs and turned to Mine. The old, 'how dare they take it out on me', way of thinking. I spat the dummy and insisted we go home. I kinda feel like I try to help them, and they use me as the puching bag.
Mia has always wanted More of me. I've always done my utmost to get that time with her; I'd like more one-on-one with her too! But the reality is that she has two brothers. Life's busy!
Any advice would be much appreciated.
KathrynD
x
[email protected]
No 2: The two eldest are really competing for my attention at present. They
are also both highly competitive of each other. Perfect example:- Mia will
say, "See who gets to the hammock first" and rush out the door with Jude
screaming behind her, saying, "I was going to go in the hammock!" Sometimes
the situation is reversed, but the scenario is always the same. Conflict
arises, and I offer to jump on the tramp with one, while the other has their
time on the hammock. Then they BOTH want me and the tramp, and the conflict
continues . . . There focus is not much on the activity, but who 'wins'.
Jude doesn't seem to have any concept/acceptance of taking turns; just leads
to more conflict . . .
-If you use the swing as a hammock, why can't both kids get in it together?
Then, you can push them and they both get your attention. We have a really
cool hammock swing that my girls will sometimes fight over. I will have them
get in it together and push them. Heck, I have gotten in it and had them
push me. Can you find activities where they can get your attention at the
same time? I have been known to tell my girls that I will play with both of
them at the same time. I tell them to find games or things that we can do
together. I have heard the book "Siblings Without Rivalry" is a good read. I
haven't had a chance to read it but it has been recommended to me. It sounds
like a lot of this is the result of sibling rivalry.
You need to help him learn to take turns. My husband and I have been known
to get involved in their games or whatever they are doing and insist that we
get a turn too. Then, we demonstrate what taking turns looks like. Four year
olds are just starting to get the whole "taking turns" thing.
No 3: Conflict! Today it escalated to outright explosiveness on behalf of
both of them. We went to the local Botanic Gardens, and they both took a
scooter with them. Both are Judes (4y/o) but one is preferred by both kids.
Mia (7) claimed the 'better' scooter for the outing. Later in the day,
neither scooter was being used and Jude started riding it. He knew as well
as I did that Mia would react negatively. She did. Jude refused to give it
back and they both begged, "get it off him/her!!" I didn't know what to do.
Jude Owns the scooter, but Mia claimed it for the day trip. No one was
riding it at that very moment. So many variables! I get why they both
reacted as they did. I tried hard to help them solve their problem, but they
didn't want a bar of it. They just got more and more heated. I physically
stepped in, only to have Jude punch me a couple of times. At this point I
lost my focus on Their Needs and turned to Mine. The old, 'how dare they
take it out on me', way of thinking. I spat the dummy and insisted we go
home. I kinda feel like I try to help them, and they use me as the puching
bag.
-It sounds like maybe you need to step back and let them do more problem
solving for themselves. If they are not being physical with each other, why
did you need to physically step in? I know that sibling disagreements can be
pretty heated and they can go beyond our own comfort zone rapidly. If nobody
is getting hurt, I don't think a little yelling between siblings is going to
hurt. Perhaps you need to say, "Look guys, I love you both and I can see
both sides of this so I am not going to get involved. You guys need to
figure this out for yourselves." Or, you can help them to see each other's
side. Look Mia, your brother is mad because blah, blah, blah. Look Jude,
your sister is mad because blah, blah, blah. I am not going to get involved
because you both have equally valid points.
In our house, the owner gets to express desires about their stuff. If Jude
is the owner, then he gets to decide unless he and his sister have mutually
agreed on letting her have it for the day. Did Mia ask Jude if she could
claim it for the day? If not, then Mia is being very presumptive. I don't
think she should get to claim her brother's stuff for a day. Why can't Mia
get her own scooter? It seems like it might be a good idea to take her to
the store and let her pick out her own scooter to eliminate her need to take
her brother's.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
are also both highly competitive of each other. Perfect example:- Mia will
say, "See who gets to the hammock first" and rush out the door with Jude
screaming behind her, saying, "I was going to go in the hammock!" Sometimes
the situation is reversed, but the scenario is always the same. Conflict
arises, and I offer to jump on the tramp with one, while the other has their
time on the hammock. Then they BOTH want me and the tramp, and the conflict
continues . . . There focus is not much on the activity, but who 'wins'.
Jude doesn't seem to have any concept/acceptance of taking turns; just leads
to more conflict . . .
-If you use the swing as a hammock, why can't both kids get in it together?
Then, you can push them and they both get your attention. We have a really
cool hammock swing that my girls will sometimes fight over. I will have them
get in it together and push them. Heck, I have gotten in it and had them
push me. Can you find activities where they can get your attention at the
same time? I have been known to tell my girls that I will play with both of
them at the same time. I tell them to find games or things that we can do
together. I have heard the book "Siblings Without Rivalry" is a good read. I
haven't had a chance to read it but it has been recommended to me. It sounds
like a lot of this is the result of sibling rivalry.
You need to help him learn to take turns. My husband and I have been known
to get involved in their games or whatever they are doing and insist that we
get a turn too. Then, we demonstrate what taking turns looks like. Four year
olds are just starting to get the whole "taking turns" thing.
No 3: Conflict! Today it escalated to outright explosiveness on behalf of
both of them. We went to the local Botanic Gardens, and they both took a
scooter with them. Both are Judes (4y/o) but one is preferred by both kids.
Mia (7) claimed the 'better' scooter for the outing. Later in the day,
neither scooter was being used and Jude started riding it. He knew as well
as I did that Mia would react negatively. She did. Jude refused to give it
back and they both begged, "get it off him/her!!" I didn't know what to do.
Jude Owns the scooter, but Mia claimed it for the day trip. No one was
riding it at that very moment. So many variables! I get why they both
reacted as they did. I tried hard to help them solve their problem, but they
didn't want a bar of it. They just got more and more heated. I physically
stepped in, only to have Jude punch me a couple of times. At this point I
lost my focus on Their Needs and turned to Mine. The old, 'how dare they
take it out on me', way of thinking. I spat the dummy and insisted we go
home. I kinda feel like I try to help them, and they use me as the puching
bag.
-It sounds like maybe you need to step back and let them do more problem
solving for themselves. If they are not being physical with each other, why
did you need to physically step in? I know that sibling disagreements can be
pretty heated and they can go beyond our own comfort zone rapidly. If nobody
is getting hurt, I don't think a little yelling between siblings is going to
hurt. Perhaps you need to say, "Look guys, I love you both and I can see
both sides of this so I am not going to get involved. You guys need to
figure this out for yourselves." Or, you can help them to see each other's
side. Look Mia, your brother is mad because blah, blah, blah. Look Jude,
your sister is mad because blah, blah, blah. I am not going to get involved
because you both have equally valid points.
In our house, the owner gets to express desires about their stuff. If Jude
is the owner, then he gets to decide unless he and his sister have mutually
agreed on letting her have it for the day. Did Mia ask Jude if she could
claim it for the day? If not, then Mia is being very presumptive. I don't
think she should get to claim her brother's stuff for a day. Why can't Mia
get her own scooter? It seems like it might be a good idea to take her to
the store and let her pick out her own scooter to eliminate her need to take
her brother's.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Kathryn
--- In [email protected], <otherstar@...> wrote:
=If you use the swing as a hammock, why can't both kids get in it together?=
We do! Even Rueben (1 y/o) often climbs on in and enjoys a swing. I'm pretty active with them, jumping on the tramp, etc. I LOVE playing with them! Our time Together is not the issue; it's the one-on-one they seem to Need at present.
=I tell them to find games or things that we can do together.=
I do sit and attempt to 'nut out' with the eldest two activities we can play together. Often, Mia expresses her desire to Not involve Jude, and to play alone with me. Jude is now expressing the same Need! It's hard, almost impossible to problem solve with two kids that are adamant they Want on-on-one with me!
==I have heard the book "Siblings Without Rivalry" is a good read.==
Got it, read it. It does have really great information, and the communication skills it mentions are already at play here. Lots of listening on my behalf . . . I do get why they are frustrated with each other, and I think they know this too; which is why they lash out at me!
==You need to help him learn to take turns.==
Good point! However, he is a very genorous, sharing person by nature. His dislike in sharing me is for Mia alone! And vice-versa
==If they are not being physical with each other, why did you need to physically step in? ==
I physically stepped in just before they came to blows. I think I should have stepped in earlier . . .
==I know that sibling disagreements can be pretty heated and they can go beyond our own comfort zone rapidly. If nobody is getting hurt, I don't think a little yelling between siblings is going to hurt.==
The yelling doesn't concern me, it's the obvious upset that is escalating into something More. It's like they have NO tolerance *by choice* to deal with their problems.
==Perhaps you need to say, "Look guys, I love you both and I can see
both sides of this so I am not going to get involved. You guys need to
figure this out for yourselves." Or, you can help them to see each other's side. Look Mia, your brother is mad because blah, blah, blah. Look Jude, your sister is mad because blah, blah, blah. I am not going to get involved because you both have equally valid points.==
Wouldn't work. Emotions are running too high, and all my talk is just 'blah blah blah' at this point.
==Did Mia ask Jude if she could claim it for the day? If not, then Mia is being very presumptive. I don't think she should get to claim her brother's stuff for a day. Why can't Mia get her own scooter? It seems like it might be a good idea to take her to the store and let her pick out her own scooter to eliminate her need to take her brother's.==
She didn't ask him, but he did know, and was fine with it. I used the scooter incident as an example of the type of conflict that occurs here. Funny you mention Mia getting her own scooter; that was my idea after the dust settled! We went and got one today at the op-shop.
I appreciate your input, but there is still something I'm not seeing here . . . hoping for some further discussion . . . .
KathrynD
x
Melissa Gray
have you thought about scheduling one-on-one time with them? If you
can get that guaranteed intense one on one with them, it may help
with day to day type of stuff. Whether it's taking them each out to
dinner once a week, or one Saturday a month that is just them, hiking
or fishing or shopping or whatever you 'do', with a lunch and dinner
out. My family runs much smoother when my kids have their date night,
it's easier to compromise on time spent all together if they know
that their time is coming up. It doesn't even have to be a date, just
getting to the store alone with mom, or walking around the
neighborhood after dinner while the other child spends time with your
dh or dp, or even a trusted neighbor or friend.
Melissa
Mom to Joshua, Breanna, Emily, Rachel, Samuel, Daniel, Avari, and
baby Nathan!
Wife to Zane
TIGERS HERE
http://pack777cubscouts.blogspot.com/
BLOG ME at
http://startlinglives.blogspot.com/
can get that guaranteed intense one on one with them, it may help
with day to day type of stuff. Whether it's taking them each out to
dinner once a week, or one Saturday a month that is just them, hiking
or fishing or shopping or whatever you 'do', with a lunch and dinner
out. My family runs much smoother when my kids have their date night,
it's easier to compromise on time spent all together if they know
that their time is coming up. It doesn't even have to be a date, just
getting to the store alone with mom, or walking around the
neighborhood after dinner while the other child spends time with your
dh or dp, or even a trusted neighbor or friend.
Melissa
Mom to Joshua, Breanna, Emily, Rachel, Samuel, Daniel, Avari, and
baby Nathan!
Wife to Zane
TIGERS HERE
http://pack777cubscouts.blogspot.com/
BLOG ME at
http://startlinglives.blogspot.com/
On Nov 17, 2009, at 1:00 AM, Kathryn wrote:
>
>
> --- In [email protected], <otherstar@...> wrote:
>
> =If you use the swing as a hammock, why can't both kids get in it
> together?=
>
> We do! Even Rueben (1 y/o) often climbs on in and enjoys a swing.
> I'm pretty active with them, jumping on the tramp, etc. I LOVE
> playing with them! Our time Together is not the issue; it's the one-
> on-one they seem to Need at present.
>
> =I tell them to find games or things that we can do together.=
>
> I do sit and attempt to 'nut out' with the eldest two activities we
> can play together. Often, Mia expresses her desire to Not involve
> Jude, and to play alone with me. Jude is now expressing the same
> Need! It's hard, almost impossible to problem solve with two kids
> that are adamant they Want on-on-one with me!
>
> ==I have heard the book "Siblings Without Rivalry" is a good read.==
>
> Got it, read it. It does have really great information, and the
> communication skills it mentions are already at play here. Lots of
> listening on my behalf . . . I do get why they are frustrated with
> each other, and I think they know this too; which is why they lash
> out at me!
>
> ==You need to help him learn to take turns.==
>
> Good point! However, he is a very genorous, sharing person by
> nature. His dislike in sharing me is for Mia alone! And vice-versa
>
> ==If they are not being physical with each other, why did you need
> to physically step in? ==
>
> I physically stepped in just before they came to blows. I think I
> should have stepped in earlier . . .
>
> ==I know that sibling disagreements can be pretty heated and they
> can go beyond our own comfort zone rapidly. If nobody is getting
> hurt, I don't think a little yelling between siblings is going to
> hurt.==
>
> The yelling doesn't concern me, it's the obvious upset that is
> escalating into something More. It's like they have NO tolerance
> *by choice* to deal with their problems.
>
> ==Perhaps you need to say, "Look guys, I love you both and I can see
> both sides of this so I am not going to get involved. You guys need to
> figure this out for yourselves." Or, you can help them to see each
> other's side. Look Mia, your brother is mad because blah, blah,
> blah. Look Jude, your sister is mad because blah, blah, blah. I am
> not going to get involved because you both have equally valid
> points.==
>
> Wouldn't work. Emotions are running too high, and all my talk is
> just 'blah blah blah' at this point.
>
> ==Did Mia ask Jude if she could claim it for the day? If not, then
> Mia is being very presumptive. I don't think she should get to
> claim her brother's stuff for a day. Why can't Mia get her own
> scooter? It seems like it might be a good idea to take her to the
> store and let her pick out her own scooter to eliminate her need to
> take her brother's.==
>
> She didn't ask him, but he did know, and was fine with it. I used
> the scooter incident as an example of the type of conflict that
> occurs here. Funny you mention Mia getting her own scooter; that
> was my idea after the dust settled! We went and got one today at
> the op-shop.
>
> I appreciate your input, but there is still something I'm not
> seeing here . . . hoping for some further discussion . . . .
>
> KathrynD
> x
>
>
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Lyla Wolfenstein
==Did Mia ask Jude if she could claim it for the day? If not, then Mia is being very presumptive. I don't think she should get to claim her brother's stuff for a day. Why can't Mia get her own scooter? It seems like it might be a good idea to take her to the store and let her pick out her own scooter to eliminate her need to take her brother's.==
She didn't ask him, but he did know, and was fine with it. I used the scooter incident as an example of the type of conflict that occurs here. Funny you mention Mia getting her own scooter; that was my idea after the dust settled! We went and got one today at the op-shop.
my kids (now 11 and 14) have gone through phases of needing more separate time, more "special time" where their unique interests are celebrated and focused on, etc.
i could be wrong, but just the impression i get from what you shared about finding games they would both like to play (an honorable and necessary thing of course, sometimes), jude having two scooters and mia having none, but being able to "claim" his, and what you share about them wanting to exclude only each other at times. perhaps they are "the kids" more than they are needing right now, instead of mia and jude?
do you carve out any individual time with each of them? doing just exactly what brings them joy and comfort? completely undistracted by what the other one would want? i have found that to be *essential* in my kids' relationship with each other. the more they felt that the other detracted from their life by having differing needs, the worse their relationship got. the more i could fill each of their indvidual cups, the better their relationship got, and the more time we could spend all together.
lyla
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
She didn't ask him, but he did know, and was fine with it. I used the scooter incident as an example of the type of conflict that occurs here. Funny you mention Mia getting her own scooter; that was my idea after the dust settled! We went and got one today at the op-shop.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>it sounds like maybe the kids are being viewed as/treated as a "unit" more than they are appreciating right now. nothing big or overt, or terrible, but it just sounds like they are showing a need for more indvidual recognition of their needs, their existence right now?
my kids (now 11 and 14) have gone through phases of needing more separate time, more "special time" where their unique interests are celebrated and focused on, etc.
i could be wrong, but just the impression i get from what you shared about finding games they would both like to play (an honorable and necessary thing of course, sometimes), jude having two scooters and mia having none, but being able to "claim" his, and what you share about them wanting to exclude only each other at times. perhaps they are "the kids" more than they are needing right now, instead of mia and jude?
do you carve out any individual time with each of them? doing just exactly what brings them joy and comfort? completely undistracted by what the other one would want? i have found that to be *essential* in my kids' relationship with each other. the more they felt that the other detracted from their life by having differing needs, the worse their relationship got. the more i could fill each of their indvidual cups, the better their relationship got, and the more time we could spend all together.
lyla
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
>>>> Our time Together is not the issue; it's the one-on-one they seem toNeed at present. <<<<<
I didn't get that from the original post. If they need one-on-one time, then
that is what you need to do. Even though we have four children, we try to
send time with each of the kids on a daily basis. My 2 year old wakes up
before the older kids so I will cuddle with her and nurse her before her
sisters wake up. My oldest likes to spend time on the computer so I will try
to find time each day to play with her on the computer. She really likes
Yoville so I will get on my computer and go visit her and say hi. Her dad
and I have had family "meetings" in Yoville where we go visit her together.
She even hosted a wedding for us to get married online. My 5 year old really
likes to go shopping so my husband or I will try to find time for her (and
just her) to run an errand or go shopping with us. When we are all doing
other stuff, my husband and I try to make it a point to go check on each of
the kids and say hi and ask about what they are doing and give them some
one-on-one time. Whenever they get into a pattern of fighting over us, then
we know it is time to find ways to give them more one-on-one time where they
don't have to compete for our attention.
Connie
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
plaidpanties666
--- In [email protected], "Kathryn" <kathryndubay@...> wrote:
Some kids are naturally more competitive than others - you may have two very competitive kids. If you think that's the case, find ways for each of them to compete and win, maybe with you and dad, rather than each other, so there's someone who can lose graciously! In the moment, when both are wanting to "win" look for ways to validate both of them as winners in some way, maybe each in a different way.
One unschooling mom I know never gets anything for just one of her boys - either they can afford two, or none. Another would buy some toys that "belonged" to mom! Then she could choose to share, and no-one else "had to".
Sometimes its possible to distract and redirect, if you get in early enough. Especially if you know you're kids tend to argue on and on, it might be better to see the whole arguement as a "need" for a change of space, change in energy. Offer to do something completely different like go get ice-cream, or play a different game. Work on changing the dynamic, rather than trying to "solve" something that isn't really fixable.
Monkey bars are good. Hang some kind of rope ladder from the monkey bars for more climbing.
Do you have a net on your tramp? Balls inside the net are great fun. Also stuffed toys.
Pool noodles for soft battling could be good or a mess. You'll have to stay on top of that, for sure.
Balloons can be used for "ball" games indoors and out.
Flimsy scarves are fun for dancing. Extra long scarves are fun to twirl in the air.
Wrap kids up in a sleeping bag like a burrito and roll them back and forth. Other kids can help with the rolling.
Inflatable furniture can be great for wrestling with and climbing on/over. Get it as cheap as you can, though, so its not a crisis when it deflates. Inflatable punching bags are good for this, too.
Big exercise balls have lots of wonderful uses. Those "bouncy" balls with the handles on top are good, too.
Do you have a sandbox? The little ones, especially, may find playing in the sand calming.
Make tunnels with bedsheets etc and do some crawling fun. Pretend to be animals.
Yelling games can be good for purging energy - roar like a lion or screech like a... oh, geez I'm tired all I can think is zombie. Snort!
Hope some of that helps.
---Meredith (Mo 8, Ray 16)
>> No 2: The two eldest are really competing for my attention at present. They are also both highly competitive of each other.*********************
Some kids are naturally more competitive than others - you may have two very competitive kids. If you think that's the case, find ways for each of them to compete and win, maybe with you and dad, rather than each other, so there's someone who can lose graciously! In the moment, when both are wanting to "win" look for ways to validate both of them as winners in some way, maybe each in a different way.
>>Jude doesn't seem to have any concept/acceptance of taking turnsIt may be that he sees "taking turns" as being asked/told to give something up. Generally, for people to be okay with doing that, they have to feel like they've had "enough" first. Taking turns may not work for him for awhile, unless he gets a really looooooong turn - as in, he plays with whatever until he's done.
>>We went to the local Botanic Gardens, and they both took a scooter with them. Both are Judes (4y/o) but one is preferred by both kids.**************************
One unschooling mom I know never gets anything for just one of her boys - either they can afford two, or none. Another would buy some toys that "belonged" to mom! Then she could choose to share, and no-one else "had to".
>> I get why they both reacted as they did. I tried hard to help them solve their problem, but they didn't want a bar of it. They just got more and more heated.*********************
Sometimes its possible to distract and redirect, if you get in early enough. Especially if you know you're kids tend to argue on and on, it might be better to see the whole arguement as a "need" for a change of space, change in energy. Offer to do something completely different like go get ice-cream, or play a different game. Work on changing the dynamic, rather than trying to "solve" something that isn't really fixable.
> No 1: BUSTING for some really good, original ideas from those out there that have high energy kids. Not necessarily structured games, as such, more a purge of energy; BIG purge, that is! We have a tramp and a hammock (used as a swing), and an old ladder that I intend to convert into monkey-bars. Backyard games, please. Our space is fairly small. Kids are 7, 4 & 1.*********************
Monkey bars are good. Hang some kind of rope ladder from the monkey bars for more climbing.
Do you have a net on your tramp? Balls inside the net are great fun. Also stuffed toys.
Pool noodles for soft battling could be good or a mess. You'll have to stay on top of that, for sure.
Balloons can be used for "ball" games indoors and out.
Flimsy scarves are fun for dancing. Extra long scarves are fun to twirl in the air.
Wrap kids up in a sleeping bag like a burrito and roll them back and forth. Other kids can help with the rolling.
Inflatable furniture can be great for wrestling with and climbing on/over. Get it as cheap as you can, though, so its not a crisis when it deflates. Inflatable punching bags are good for this, too.
Big exercise balls have lots of wonderful uses. Those "bouncy" balls with the handles on top are good, too.
Do you have a sandbox? The little ones, especially, may find playing in the sand calming.
Make tunnels with bedsheets etc and do some crawling fun. Pretend to be animals.
Yelling games can be good for purging energy - roar like a lion or screech like a... oh, geez I'm tired all I can think is zombie. Snort!
Hope some of that helps.
---Meredith (Mo 8, Ray 16)