Fun Ways to Get Excited About the Winter Olympics

Are your kids looking forward to the Winter Olympics?  My children have watched the Olympic Games over the past several years and each have their own favorite events.  The winter games are exciting for figure skating, snowboarding, and skiing events.  The games start on February 9th this year and will end on February 25th, so don’t miss watching along at home.

Oriental Trading sponsored this post by sending me some Olympic-inspired goodies of my own.  Here are some fun ways that I’m getting my kids excited about the Winter Olympics.

First, my kids are very hands-on.  They want to be right in the middle of any kind of competition with each other.  It’s pretty close to a fight-to-the-death scenario when we do sports, team activities, or friendly games against one another.  That’s why the kids were so excited to see that I got them a set of the Inflatable Patriotic Body Boppers.

This comes as a set of 2 and it’s basically like big, vinyl blow up bumper cars that kids or adults can wear.  Mine took turns getting inside, holding onto the little handles, and running full speed ahead, trying to knock over their siblings.  Trust me, this is a game that never gets old and never gets boring.  How fun would this be to become an official winter game, even if it’s only “official” within our own family?

I think we’ll have to invite some friends over to enjoy it as well.  What I love is that they’re pretty heavy duty, and I can see using them inside or outside.  It’s a good way to keep kids active, no matter the weather.

Another sport my kids are enjoying playing at home is our own little version of hockey.  I got them these inflatable hockey sticks and also a package of inflatable mini beach balls to use as their puck.

This is another game that’s sure to help them beat the winter boredom.  Grace and Michael played a little one on one hockey action, but I think their little brothers got jealous, so next time it’ll be teams of 2 or maybe teams of 3 if they can sucker me into playing, too!

If you’re planning on hosting a Winter Olympic Games party of your own, don’t forget about the cool internationally-themed goodies you can get.  I grabbed a package of the International Games Paper Cups and Flags Around the World Bouncing Balls.  These would also be a sly way to teach the different flags of countries around the world.

I also wanted something a little different, but quick and fun to do.  I wanted a craft or something similar that was a little artsy without being difficult.  These Sledding Adventure Scratch ‘N Reveal Activities were perfect.  All of my kids, from age 3 to 12, really liked using the included tool to scratch away the top layer to reveal a scene below.

I love this as a party favor idea, too, because they’re inexpensive and different than your run of the mill candy or mini bottle of bubbles.

How is your family getting ready for the Winter Olympics?

What are your favorite events to watch together?  What are your kids’ favorite games to reenact at home?