We're looking for a DVD to encourage our 2 1/2-year-old daughters to run, dance, jump, stretch, etc. on rainy days this summer, when they can't play outside. We tried a Sesame Street DVD with Zoe doing dance moves with Paula Abdul, but it was too advanced for them -- they like watching it, but it doesn't really get them moving or dancing along. Does anybody have any exercise-, dance- or movement-themed DVDs to recommend, that worked with this young age group?
My 3 yr. old daughter is watching "Yo Gabba Gabba" right now. It has some dancing and singing in it. She loves it.
Nanc
UPDATE: It's called "The Dancey Dance Bunch".
My son loves a PBS show called Big Green Rabbit which I randomly saw on cable. I don't think it is widely distributed show, but you can buy the dvds online. The show does songs around various stuff and the host (a little girl) will teach dances to the songs. The neat thing is that when they play the song and show the cartoon, the little girl and Big Green Rabbit are in the corner of the screen dancing so a kid can follow along.
ANYTHING "Yo Gabba Gabba" will get them moving-and maybe you, too, in spite of yourself, haha.
A lot of my mom friends enjoy YGG (as much as a parent can enjoy a kids show), but I'll warn you that some moms really can't get into it at all.
Good luck!
I have two suggestions...both of which appear to be for younger children, but my 2 1/2 old daughter loves them and is always doing the dances along with them. In fact, the other day I came into the room and she was dancing all by herself.
Anyway...here they are.
Barney---ABC Animals. They go on an animal hunt for each letter of the alphabet and each letter has a song that goes with the animal.
SEsame Beginnings--there are two CDs. My daughter loves the one that is narrated by Sarah Jessica Parker, but both are cute. It is the Sesame babies singing songs...very cute and my daughter loves them.
Also, just recently NOggin has had a band called The Jumparounds. They have a website thejumparounds.com but it has been under construction. If you go to youtube.com and type in the jumparounds they will come up. four teenagers singing really cute songs. my daughter makes me play them over and over and she is always trying to imitate all the dance moves.
If you go to the candle section of a Walmart store they have those machines where you push a button and you can hear a sample of the music for sell right there. Right now they have a kids CD with a bus on it. It has "Wheels on the Bus", "Animal Crackers in my soup", "six little ducks", and lots more songs. Oh yeah, "B-I-N-G-O" also. You just clap and act out the songs. You can even sing the "head and shoulders, knees and toes" song to them while touching each part as you say it too. As long as you are into it and active they will enjoy it too. My boys go to a local toddlers dance class. You might want to check and see if there is something fun like that your area. For us it's the end of the regular class season, but our dance teacher offers summer classes as well.
Hi --
Not a CD, but our almost-4 son loves these CDs:
Greg & Steve -- Kids in Action (they used it at a birthday party at the Y -- lots of songs that kids do the motions for, burning a lot of energy)
For the Kids -- rock stars sing kids songs... the Hip Hip Hoppity song is too much fun.
Jack;s Big Music Show -- music CD -- the "Me Dance" is also fabulous, and the whole CD gets our son moving, and he's only seen the show 2-3 times.
Ah, and Laurie Berkner -- "I'm gonna catch you" turns into a game of tag with anybody in the house.
Angelina Balerina DVD's. She is a dancing mouse. They have clips in between the cartoons of live balerina's from very young to adults doing routines & practicing.
Also, my 6 & 3 yr old girls like a DVD called "How To Be A Princess". This is a live adult balerina teaching her young student & viewers how to have proper manners & act like a "princess". It comes with accessories & a dance mat.
We have the Laurie Berkner DVD, and although it isnt intended for "exercise" it hard to sit still while watching it. Lots of encouragement to get up and dance around.
And its not as annoying as other kid DVDs. lol
I found it on amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/We-are-Laurie-Berkner-Band/dp/B000C...
I was considering the purchase of a fun and easy yoga DVD for toddlers, which I found at Target in the fitness equipment section. It looks like it is fun and easy, and my son definitely needs SOMETHING for wintertime when he is stuck indoors. Good luck!
Laurie berkner is an absolute must!!! Such a great dvd + comes w a cd too.
Dvd shows kids dancing!
Also if u watch jack's big music show on noggin, they feature kids musicians in shorrtvideos where kids dance. See which u like.
David winestone good too!
The Laurie Berkner Band. It is wonderful. My daughter started watching her at age 1 and still loves to listen/watch it at 2 1/2. makes her get up and dance every time
My 2 year old loves Yo Gabba Gabba. (so do I quite honestly!) I bought the CD and we dance like crazy!!!! The show is so much fun too! Jacks Big Music Show is another one. Lots of artists but Laurie Berkner is a regular. You can even see her live! My friend and her daughter are really into her. My son and I, not so much - but she is cool! We just have other things we like so Lauries hasn't gotten much of chance! Both shows are on the NOGGIN channel - you could find dvds and there are cds too. Ziggy Marley just came out with a great cd too. Family Life I think its called? My friend gave me a copy of that, so I don't really know all the details. Putamayo Kids is a great line of cd's that are "world" music for kids and fun for us parents too! As for watching tv we really only watch the Noggin Channel - no dvds. If I want my son to get up and move I just put on a CD and move with him. He LOVES music and loves to dance! As for running, some how I've gotten my son into just RUNNING around the house while I chase him...the whole "you can't catch me" thing really works. Now I can't seem to every sit down a moment - he wants me to dance or run constantly! I work full time too - so it sounds like I am just sitting home all day doing this with him, but I'm not -this is what we do when I am home though. I think Grandma and Grandpa get the same workout when they are there though! LOL!
The Wiggles, Imagination Movers, Laurie BErkner Band were/are my boys favorites
Hi A.
My daughter LOVES The Wiggles.
She is 17 months old and she dances from start to finish.
It is a pretty long DVD also.
I found that of all of her DVD's, it is the one that she likes the best to dance to.
We bought her several Sesame Street/Elmo DVD's and none of them capture her attention as much. (And yet she absolutely Loves Elmo)
The DVD is out in Wlmart now.
It's complete Title is
The Wiggles....You Make Me Feel Like Dancing
Also, if you have Direct TV (Satellite TV), there is a premium Channel called "Baby First TV".
It is outrageous for infants to toddlers.
There is something for every child.
There are plenty of songs and dancing to be done with that station.
I think either of these suggestions should work well for your little ones!
God Bless!
P.
Nix the DVDs. Get some CDs or turn on the radio and dance with them. They'll get the idea much better if there's someone there to interact with them than having all the distracting pictures from the TV coming at them. My 2 1/2 yr old daughter loves to dance to anything I put on, but her favorites are Hullabaloo Band: http://www.youtube.com/user/hullabaloosteve
Barenaked Ladies "Snacktime":
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=42B802E6C7F8C9D4
Laurie Berkner Band
http://www.youtube.com/results?orig_query=Laurie+Berkner&...
My humble opinion is that we don't spend enough time away from the tv in our culture. Time outside to run and jump and play is so important. Time doing things with other people... dancing, playing, jumping, talking.
We don't have a tv. We live well without it. We are outside, we know our neighbors, our children are very well versed in language, nature, et cetera. We are always reading, creating, and doing things.
My advice: get rid of the tv.
DOUBLE DANCE MAT MANIA!!! Not a DVD---it is a mat that plugs into your tv and has games controlled by moving your feet on the mat. It has two sides so your girls can play at the same time!! My 2-year-old loves it and makes everyone play it with her.
Hi A.,
Sesame Street makes another video, can't remember the name, but it's pretyy much a workout video. it's with grover...with others too. special guests include india arie, wyclef and a comedian guy who i cant remember at the moment. it's pretty good....i don't think it would be too advanced for your girls.
This sounds pathetic, but my 2 1/2 year old boy loves my exercise DVDs (he likes Denise Austen and Jennifer Nicole Lee's Total Body Workout). He actually tries really hard to imitate the movement and asks to watch them. You could find some more peppy or dance-inspired workouts because the dance moves are toned down rather than skillful. I remember as a kid LOVING Richard Simmons Groovin' to the Oldies. :)
My kids (3.5 and 1.5) love to dance to the Wiggles, too. They're the best!
Hey ma,
Why not try Baby Yoga or baby work out video's
M
I'm kind of old fashioned and don't buy into that stuff. I just turn on the radio and we dance! Sometimes the DVD makes the kids think they're supposed to sit and watch as opposed to moving around...maybe that's why they're not participating?
Anyway, if you're interested in saving the cash, just turn on some music. My lil guy loves it on rainy days. :)
Lynsey
