Get Your Kids Up and Moving with Crazy Legs {A Back to School Review}

I'm sure you would agree with me when I say we all want to make sure our children are healthy. We want our children to get proper nutrition, sufficient rest, and lots of exercise toward this goal. It is so easy to sit children in front of a computer or television these days. Some kids seem to think this is the only way to have fun and not be bored. Fortunately our little ones love to go outside to play. We have limited screen time in our house, though I have been guilty of allowing them extra if I have something I am trying to get done. We have found that they do enjoy playing board games, but even board games are not active play. Wait! Most board games are not get-up-and-move games, but I found one that is.

I have worked with Endless Games before, reviewing some fun board games with the girls. I was thrilled when I contacted them regarding my Back to School/5 Year Blogiversary Celebration and I was given the opportunity to review not one, but two games. I will be sharing Korner'd in a separate review. For now I would like to focus on an enjoyable, get up and move game called Crazy Legs!

Crazy Legs is an action game and board game all in one. It is geared for children ages 4 and up, but we have been able to include Harold in our play time quite successfully and he is only 2 1/2. The game can be played with 2-4 players.

Crazy Legs comes with a Game Board, Instructions, 60 Action Cards, 4 Pawns, and a Spinner Arrow and Base that is easily assembled prior to play.

It takes mere seconds to put the spinner together by placing the base under the board and the arrow through the hole so they can be snapped together. After shuffling the Action cards and placing the pawns on Start you are all ready for play.

The object of the game is simple: To Be Active!  This is accomplished by spinning the spinner and moving your pawn on your turn. Yes, so far we have only exercised our fingers, I am aware of that. The fun comes after the pawn lands on a space. If the player lands on a blank space they get to pick a card from the pile. There are 36 exercise cards and 24 child-friendly yoga position cards.

Exercise Cards

Child-Friendly Yoga Position Cards

There are also Action Spaces on the board. If a player lands on one of these spaces either that person or EVERYONE is going to be getting active at the same time.

Here is the list of Action Spaces

For Everyone:

• Do the Wave
• Crazy Dance
• Wheelbarrow
• Everybody Change Seats

For the Player who spun:

• Move Back
• Move Forward
• Get Up

The children were excited to play.

No, really, they were really excited, CRAZY excited!!

We took turns spinning the spinner and moving our way around the board. Yes, the first player to reach finish is pronounced the winner, but everyone is having fun along the way.

As they landed on spaces, they completed the action. It is recommended that the actions be done until play comes back around to the player. So, during the game, most of the players are going to be away from the board performing their activity.

Here it is Harold's turn. As you can see, Amelia and Hannah are in the middle of completing their stretches.

Harold spun the spinner.

We drew a card for him and showed him how to do the stretch.

And he joined his sisters on the floor while Tabitha took her turn.

Some more fun activities.

The children have a blast playing Crazy Legs. Mommy is happy because they are playing together, cooperating and taking turns, plus getting up and moving. The instructions are so simple that they have been able to play without me when I am busy, as long as Harold is up taking a nap. This really is a game to get the children up and moving. Sometimes it has been a little tricky for them to hold a pose or continue an exercise for the duration of their turn. I do allow them to take a break at that point as I don't want them to get frustrated at the game. I figure, the more we play the game and the more practice they get at these activities, the longer they will be able to do them. 

This game could be added into a homeschool day as physical education, though it can be enjoyed by anyone. Anyone else thinking, rainy day activity here?

The children's thoughts:

Tabitha: "I think Crazy Legs is fun because we get to do all sorts of things like poses and exercises. My favorite exercise was the wheelbarrow. You know why? Because I've loved the wheelbarrow since I was 4."

Amelia: "I like Crazy Legs because we get to do poses and the wheelbarrow."

Hannah: "I like it because it's fun!  I liked walking like a robot."

I have recently become aware that there are those who may have an issue with their children participating in Yoga activities. In our case, I don't even use the word "Yoga" with the children. All the children know is that they are doing fun stretches/poses. However, if you are firmly set against using yoga at all, you can easily remove the yoga cards and just use the exercise cards. There are a wide variety of exercises even without the yoga poses to have an enjoyable, activity filled game. 

Once again Endless Games has produced a winner! You can check out all the products they offer at their website. 

Crazy Legs sells for $15.99.

 This fun, energetic game can be yours!

Endless Games has generously offered to include Crazy Legs in my Back to School/5 Year Blogiversary Celebration.

Don't miss out on the Grand Prize Giveaway!
Click here to enter the giveaway.

How would you like some extra entries into this giveaway before it even starts? 

Head on over to the Endless Games website and tell me what other product catches your eye. Leave the answer here in the comments with your email and when the giveaway is live I will email you the secret code to place in the Rafflecopter for a bonus 10 points. 

Don't miss out on the Grand Prize Giveaway!
Click here to enter the giveaway.