Am I the only one who has Olympic fever? I haven’t watched much TV this summer, but then came the Olympics! It is crazy how excited I get for these athletes whom I don’t even know, but root for because of the great country we share. I haven’t started chanting USA and jumping up and down on the couch yet, but believe me, I had some close calls when Michael Phelps won his 19th medal, and the Women’s Gymnastics Team won gold!!!

My 18 month old is still a little young to get into the Olympic spirit, but he has been a little mesmerized by the TV being on. (It is usually off while he is awake.) I did get a little excited when rowing was on and he said, “Boat.” Who says TV can’t be educational for 1 year olds? 🙂

Here are a few ideas to take advantage of your kids excitement about the Olympics:

New Cuisine
Try cuisine from different countries of the athletes you see competing. Talk with your kids about how people from different places eat different foods. Extra bonus if you choose Mediterranean countries as they are typically healthier!

Healthy Olympic Snack
Grab five prep bowls and fill them with foods that are the same colors as the Olympic rings. I used blueberries, *chocolate covered almonds, strawberries, mangos, and *grapes. Get creative and use fruits and veggies that your family will like.

Join the Games
Bring the family or neighbors together and hold your own mini Olympics. You can easily replicate several sports in your own backyard: Running, Hurdles, Long Jump, Shot Put (probably want to stick with something soft to throw), Gymnastics (think forward rolls and hand stands), Balance Beam (tape on the floor), etc.) You can also add Hula Hoop, Jump Rope, and anything else that gets your kids moving! Don’t forget the scorecards and the camera! Join in the fun yourself to get some extra giggles from your kids and some bonus exercise for you! Let me know how it goes!

*Note: Nuts and grapes are chocking hazards for small children. Try chocolate cheerios instead of the chocolate covered nuts and make sure you cut up the grapes.