If you're like my family and many around the world, you'll be glued to the TV at all hours, watching the 2012 Olympic Games from London, which run for 17 sports-filled days. The Olympic Games have been fascinating us since 776 B.C. in Ancient Greece, where they were a one-day event featuring running, long jump, shot put, javelin, boxing, equestrian sports, and a martial art called pankration.
In addition to watching the Olympics, many of us are inspired to get active, too. There are plenty of ways to get moving, have fun and honor your inner Olympian.
Celebrate Olympic Fun Day
First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move organization has declared Saturday, July 28 Olympic Fun Day. Follow the link to find lots of ideas for fun Olympic-inspired games and meet-ups with others in your area. More than 100 Olympic Fun Day events are slated for the San Francisco Bay Area, and there are thousands of others all around the country. Missed the day? Grab some neighbors and friends and get active by hosting your own Olympic games in a park or backyard.
Have a Backyard Olympics
Even if you don't have a balance beam or a javelin handy, you can still create your own version of the Games with a Backyard Olympics. South Jersey Frugal Family Examiner Samantha Sinclair and Newark Healthy Living Examiner Emily Gibbons each offer a ton of ideas for backyard Olympic games that are fun and easy to pull off. More ideas are available from Ucreate. And Fiskars provides even more Backyard Olympics game ideas, as well as fun decorations and accessories, such as homemade Olympic torches and flag banners.
Need more inspiration? These 15 inspiring Olympic athletes have endured tremendous hardships to be at the top of their sports. The Olympics can inspire us to be active, have fun, be good sports, and achieve our own personal bests.
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