A skipping rope is one of the best gifts that you can give a 4+ year old child. It teaches them vital co-ordination skills, is a great precursor to playing sports, and best of all, is really cheap!
Before attempting skipping games the rope can be used on the ground to play jumping games. With a person at each end hold the rope on the ground and wiggle it like a snake. The child has to jump over the rope without touching it. A rhyme that can be sung is;

Two four six eight, Johnny saw a rattle snake,
Eating cake by the lake, two four six eight.

They can also practice their balancing skills by walking along the rope as it lays on the ground.
Skipping itself is a learned skill and a good way to start them off is with a long rope. If you have a limited number of people, tie it to a washing line or something similar. Firstly get your child to jump (without using the rope) with both feet landing together, you may need to hold hands and do it together. As they get the idea they can try skipping under the rope. This may take a while so be patient. Soon your child will be confident skipping under a long rope and can move on to their own rope.

Hopscotch
A great one of those old fashioned child activities. This game is best with a couple of kids but also can be practised on their own. For young children it is easier to play this game by jumping into each square as they won't be able to hop (You can even call it Jumpscotch!). Draw your hopscotch pattern and explain the game. They each need to throw their stone into square 1 and then jump over it and then into each square up to 10 and then back, picking up their stone and jumping over square 1. If they miss their throw into a square then it's the next player's turn. The winner is the first person to get back to the start.

Wheelbarrow Races
A fun game that requires lots of energy, great for parties.
My eldest daughter and I sometimes play this game on our own for a laugh but it is best played with at least four players, preferably similar in age/size. Set up a start and finsh line for the race and split the children into pairs. Each pair decides who is going to be  the wheelbarrow and who will be the pusher. The wheelbarrow gets down on their hands and knees and is then picked up at the knees (or ankles) by their partner.
Their will be lots of tumbles and lots of laughs. This game is best played on fairly soft grass. Pairs can swap over so they each have a turn at being the pusher and the wheelbarrow.

Hula Hoops
These are a really cheap item that not only keep your kids fit, but will help to improve their co-ordination as well.
Show your kids how to swing the hoop around their waist, but also their arms, legs, feet and  anything else they can shake! It's a good opportunity for parents to see how good (or bad!) their hula skills are twenty years on from when they first tried it.
Like skipping competitions, you can see who can keep the hoop going for the longest time. Another one of those child activities that once they master, they will go back to again and again.

Hide and Seek
A family favourite for many generations that teaches young children to play in a co-operative way with other kids. Enjoyment is in the play rather than winning or losing which can become an issue for four and five year olds.
Hide and seek can be played in the backyard or in your local park (as long as it isn't too big!). One person is chosen to be 'It' and hides their face as they count. Everyone else hides and the seeker then calls out 'coming, ready or not' and goes in search of everyone. The last person to be found becomes 'It' for the next round.

Red Light, Green Light
Another traditional child game that can be played just about anywhere.
One person is chosen to be the traffic light and stands with his back to the other children. He shouts'green light' and the other children creep forward trying to touch the traffic light. When the traffic light calls out 'red light' he spins around and tries to catch out someone moving. Anyone caught becomes the traffic light for the next game.

Relay Races
As well as being able to enjoy physical activities, relay races and obstacle courses help kids develop their spatial abilities; balancing, navigating their bodies and throwing and catching.
Relay races usually involve a number of contrasting activities that follow on from each other. They can be played in a group or singularly. YOur list can include;
Running at speed
Hopping, skipping or jumping
Walking backwards
Crawling along a plank
Squirming on tummy under a plank
Stepping on 'stepping stones' without touching the ground
Throwing a ball into a hole/bucket/hoop
Making a wheelbarrow with another child
Doing somersaults
Climbing over a frame
Bouncing on a trampoline

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