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Mom Squad: Indoor puff ball races

When it’s cold or raining, the kids need something to do inside. How about a race? Maureen Kyle shows us how to get your kids to exercise their lungs in a fun way.

CLEVELAND — “Want to race?”

Why is it that pretty much every kid perks up and wants to take on that challenge any time that question pops up? In my house, that means kids run at full speed until someone runs into a wall or furniture and then there are tears.

As I’ve been searching for things to keep them busy, I came across a simple idea: Tape off a “lane” or two in the kitchen, give them straws and let their lungs do the racing.

I took painters tape that I had sitting in the garage and laid it down through the kitchen. I kept my racing lane simple because my kids are little. If your kids are older, you can even make more of a maze.

Credit: Maureen Kyle

Then, I found a few craft puff balls I had from a holiday project, but really you can find anything that will easily blow across the floor with one breath.

Next, I handed my girls straws from our kitchen drawer.

Within 10 minutes, I had them sitting at the starting line and they couldn’t wait to race.

Credit: Maureen Kyle

I made up simple rules: They had to keep the puff ball in the lane. If it blew out, they had to use their breath (not their hands) to put it back in the lane. And no fighting.

My 4-year-old got upset once she started losing, so the next round, we changed it to racing against your own personal best time.

Credit: Maureen Kyle

But in the rat race parents are facing when it comes to keeping the kids busy, working from home and making the most of the stay-at-home order, this activity was so simple and fun! I have a feeling it will be one we keep for years to come.

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