Elizabeth Rovit, a 23-year-old graduate student and veteran sleep-away camper, took great pride in organizing a day of Olympics for her family this year.
“It’s all about fun family competition,” announced Ms. Rovit, as she addressed the other teams (her parents and two younger siblings) during the opening ceremony at their home in Short Hills, N.J. “Each person for him or herself during the games, but we all live under the same roof, so at the end of the day we’ll leave it outside.”
Ms. Rovit then passed a white candle down the line to each player. Let the games begin.
Keep it safe.
To avoid injuries, safety should come first. “For younger children, parents need to lay down rules for safety, making sure kids run with their heads up to watch where they’re going, shoes are tied and the area is safe from obstacles,” said Jesse Corben, a physical education teacher for the Hewlett-Woodmere school district on Long Island.
Most games can be played on grass, and with extra caution, a paved driveway. When in doubt, wear a mask, and have a first-aid kit on hand just in case.
With the coronavirus, you will want to be wary of activities that involve close physical distance, especially if your Olympics includes nonfamily members. When Jaime Schechter, also of Short Hills, threw a birthday party for her 7-year-old son, Blake, she organized specific games so children didn’t have to interact closely. For the three-legged relay, each boy teamed up with his mother.
“It was a great way to reconnect with simple activities and avoid close contact,” Mrs. Schechter said.