Turning Everyday Moments Into Movement: Especially During the Holiday Rush

During the holiday season, life moves fast, school celebrations, family visits, travel, big emotions, and LOTS of excitement.

With all the festive fun, kids can easily become overstimulated, tired, or extra wiggly. This is completely normal!

Good News!

Kids don’t need a perfect plan to reset. Often, what they really need is a simple movement break, even 2–3 minutes can make a huge difference.

At Runner2Runner, we believe movement should be fun, flexible, and part of everyday life. Movement is already all around us, we just have to turn everyday moments into playful opportunities.

Why Everyday Movement Matters

Movement helps kids:

• Release extra holiday energy

• Reset after overstimulation

• Improve mood and focus

• Build strength and coordination

• Feel more confident

• Sleep better (especially important during busy weeks!)

The best part. It doesn’t have to be complicated. Kids naturally love to move, we just need to give them chances throughout the day.

Easy Ways to Turn Everyday Moments Into Movement

Kitchen Dance Party

Waiting for food to heat up?

Perfect time for a 30-second dance break.

It releases energy fast and instantly improves mood.

Bonus: You’ll probably end up dancing too.

Bedtime Wiggle Reset

Kids often have the most energy right before bed, especially during the holidays.

Try a quick set of calming movements:

• 10 slow squats

• 20-second wall sit

• 10 forward bends

• 5 deep breaths

This helps them wind down without feeling restricted.

Stairs = Strength Training

If you have stairs at home (or use the ones at the playground!):

• March up like a soldier

• Go down sideways

• Skip every other step (careful!)

Stairs build leg strength, balance, and confidence.

Sock Basketball (Living Room Edition)

Take 2–3 balled-up socks and a laundry basket… instant game time!

• Try:

  • Free throws

  • Trick shots

  • Side-to-side shuffles between turns

Simple. Safe. Fun. 

“Move to the Magic Spot” Challenge

Pick a spot in your home (a rug, corner, mat, or tile) and say:

• “Go to the magic spot…

• Hopping on one foot!

• Walking backwards!

• Tiptoeing like a ninja!”

Kids love the game-like structure.

Car-Ride Wiggle Releasers

After errands or long drives, kids need to move before transitioning into something else.

• Try:

  • 20 jumping jacks

  • Run to the mailbox

  • Shake out arms and legs

  • March to the front door

It’s an instant reset for their brains and bodies.

Hallway/Driveway Relays

Kids LOVE short bursts of speed.

Have them run, hop, skip, or bear-crawl from one end of the hallway to the other, or take it outside to the driveway!

Make it a challenge:

• “Can you do it in 10 seconds?”

• “Can you move like your favorite animal?”

What If My Child Is Overstimulated by Holiday Fun?

Between lights, crowds, noise, excitement, sugar, and changes in routine, kids can get overwhelmed quickly, even when they’re having fun.

• A movement break helps them:

• release tension

• regulate their nervous system

• calm big emotions

• refocus

• transition more easily

Movement helps kids settle so they can keep enjoying all the fun without overload.

Friendly Reminder

Movement doesn’t have to be planned. It doesn’t have to look like a workout. And it doesn’t require equipment or structure.

Kids thrive when they have simple, playful opportunities to move throughout the day

When in doubt, let them wiggle. Let them run. Let them play.

A few minutes of movement can turn a tough moment into a great one.