The upcoming weeks will be filled with competition, excitement and suspense for anyone following the Winter Olympics. Sure, catch as many events as you can on TV over the two weeks between February 4 and February 20, 2022. But also get kids involved in this global event by holding your own mini Olympic games at home.
Here are six fun games that combine education and sports and will help bring the Olympics to life.
1. Bobsled race
Grab two sleds and go to your favorite sledding spot. Take a few practice runs down the hill to make two parallel paths. (Hint: pack some snow up in the middle of the paths to create a little jump.) Lay a ribbon on the ground at the top to create a start line and position the sleds behind it. Have the “referee” stand at the bottom, with arms raised. When it’s time to go, the referee will drop their hands and yell “go”! The racers can run and jump onto the sleds or push off the top of the hill to gain momentum. The first to the bottom wins. Switch tracks for each race to make sure it’s fair.
2. Indoor floor hockey
Hockey is an exciting team sport at the Winter Olympics, and it can be just as exciting with the neighborhood kids in your playroom or garage. Find two “goals” (aka cardboard boxes or storage bins), a “puck” (a tennis ball or stress ball works) and “hockey sticks” (paper towel rolls, wooden spoons or rulers). With one team on each side of the “rink,” drop the puck in the center. The first team to get five goals wins. The rules are: You must stay on your knees and you can’t use your hands to move the puck. If you have more than two kids involved, designate a goalie — and arm that person with a pillow. No other kids around? Put on the game and let your kid mimic what their favorite athlete is doing.
3. Biathlon
Traditionally, the biathlon is a race that combines cross country skiing and rifle shooting. To modify this event for kids, have them run a lap or two around the outside of the house and then throw snowballs at a target. Set up five snowballs each ahead of time and place an empty can or bottle several feet away (depending on ability) at eye level. Draw a clear starting line and let the race begin.
4. Sock skating
Have everyone put on their thickest pair of fuzzy socks and practice some twirls like the figure skaters in the Games. Go to the slipperiest floor in the house, put on some music while the kids show off their moves one by one. Try making up a group routine with coordinated spins and partner moves.
5. Olympic trivia
Use the Olympics as a way to educate everyone on some global facts. You can separate questions into categories such as:
- City facts: What city is hosting the Olympics? What country is it in? The 2022 Winter Olympics are being held in Beijing, China.
- Olympic history: Where were the very first Olympic Games? Greece
- Sports: What is the difference between bobsleigh and ice luge? Athletes, in teams of two or four, drive a special bobsleigh down an ice track. In luge, athletes ride a flat sled — on their backs, face up and feet first — and race the course individually or in groups of two.
- Olympians: Can you name one Olympic athlete and the sport they play? (Rosters can be found on Olympics.com.)
Tally points for each correct answer and see who gets the gold medal!
6. Frisbee curling
This activity is a combination of shuffleboard and curling. You’ll need an area that’s covered with packed snow, so your Frisbees can glide smoothly. Draw a big starting line in the snow on one side of the field and a big square at the other end. The goal is to get all your Frisbees in the box without crossing the starting line. Give each player as many Frisbees as you have handy and alternate turns trying to slide the Frisbees (upside down) across the snow.
