Perfect morning for good times with M’s and 2.0s. This was actually a do-over from our fam’s previous Romper Room Q a couple of weeks back. Only got Awesome Baby and Thunderstruck out for that one, plus Castaway’s 2.0 Sparkles, so thought it would be OK to do it again for a mostly different audience. Theme drew from some of our family’s favorite kid’s books. Here’s Castaway’s Instagram reel.
Houdini led the warm-up with a typical pre-game soccer warm-up, a nod to Puck’s upcoming championship game.
Continued warm-up with a Ricky Bobby inspired by The Polar Express.
Person at front of line jingles a bell (“the first gift of Christmas”), then hands bell to new person running from the back. If the bell stops jingling or is dropped, everyone does 5 burpees. These were not necessary.
THANG
First activity was inspired by the Dr. Seuss classic Hop on Pop.
Very simple. 2.0s would Hop on Pop piggyback style (or Glom on Mom) for a trip down the field and back.
Then it was time for a Tortoise and Hare-inspired version of catch me if you can.
Families chose one or more people to do five WWIIs while others tortoise crawled (bear crawled). Once WWIIs complete those PAX would hare hop until they caught the tortoises. Then tortoises would go to 5 WWIIs while hares switched to tortoise crawl. Did this to half field and back.
Last travel exercise was inspired by Ox-Cart Man, with which other PAX were unfamiliar but was a favorite in our family. Illustrations and story really good, if unfamiliar.
In the story, the aptly named Ox-Cart Man has to take all his wares to Portsmouth market to sell. He travels for 10 days and nights, past farms and villages, then proceeds to sell everything, including his ox and his ox cart, then he returns home with plenty of gold coins, a new kettle for his wife, a barlow knife for his son, a knitting needle for his daughter, and two pounds of wintergreen peppermint candies. After that long preamble, we did wheelbarrows to half field (Portsmouth market) then 2.0s became the kettle filled with gifts and piggy backed home on a parent.
Next it was time for Knope’s version of Quidditch.
Not being a Harry Potter fan, going to have a hard time explaining this one. Essentially one group was duck walking with wiffleballs and trying to hit with said wiffleballs others who were lunge walking with tennis balls who were attempting to throw said tennis balls into a net. Then switched to a different ball whenever you hit either a person or the net. Or something like that. Then there was something about catching someone and yanking a Homey Sock out of their shorts. It was all a bit befuddling for YHC, but everyone seemed to have a good time, breathing hard and laughing, which is what Romper Room is all about.
Next played a couple of versions of tag.
First was inspired by The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.
Designated a couple of PAX as White Witches who could turn others into stone. Then designated one PAX as Aslan, who could tag those who had been turned to stone to free them. Couple of rounds of this mixing number of Witches and Aslans. It was pretty fun.
Next version was based on Where the Wild Things Are, specifically the Wild Rumpus.
Mode of travel is skipping (cause they kind of look like they’re skipping in above image.) If tagged you have to do 5 jump squats (aka Wild Thing Stomps) before rejoining. Kids were taggers and adults were trying to avoid for one round, then we switched. Chaotic but fun.
Then it was time for
MARY
Plank hold for Stevie Ray Vaughn’s version of Mary Had a Little Lamb as YHC called out variations, three merkins, low plank hold, left arm high, right arm high, etc.
FIN
COT
Sandman noted a friend of his just turned 6, so we did 6 burpees in his honor.
The Bull Oct. 30.
YHC took us out with prayers of thanksgiving for healthy families.
MOLESKIN
If you’ve got 2.0s ages say 4-14, please consider making Romper Room a part of your Saturday morning routine if schedule will allow. Always lots of smiles and a great way to bond with family and encourage everyone to stay active.