15 Fun Ways to Initiate Wrestling with Your Kids

Alright, so you’re out of practice in the “wrestling with your kids” department.  That’s ok, we’ve gottcha covered!

Be Ornery

This is by far the funnest.  Are you a big brother? (or sister if you’re a woman reading this)  Did you pick on your siblings or your friends?  Or the girl you liked in 2nd grade?  Think along those lines, but NICER!  You’re the adult here, remember THAT!

1. The Hip Bump – While standing next to your kid, give them a hip bump and when they look at you act like nothing happened and then do it again until they’re playfully hip bumping back.

2. Pick Them Up! – If they’re still little, pick them up and swing them around and pitch them onto a couch or bed.  I’ve yet to meet a kid that didn’t love being tossed around on a bed and then tickled!  It’s a fun producing combination!

3. Tickle, tickle, tickle – not to the point of urination!  Resist the temptation to tickle until they pee – it won’t end well and will defeat the reasons you should be wrestling.  We established a code word and I suggest that you do too.  When they can’t take any more they call out the code word.  Ours is “ice cream.”  If you push kids too far with the tickling you can actually do damage by making them feel that they are powerless and that you don’t care enough about them to stop when they are not enjoying it anymore. Watch for this because it can go from all fun and games to I feel betrayed in 2 seconds.

4. Love Taps – Tap them on the shoulder and then walk around the other way before they see you.  Then when confronted, play slap/tap them on their shoulder or tummy until they’re ready to get you.

5. Snack Time! – One of our favorites: EAT THEM!  Yes, proclaim loudly, “MAN, I’m SOOO hungry!” and then grab an arm or leg and pretend naw away – this is so fun and the kids love it.  Then you can give them what is commonly known as a “raspberry” (aka zerbert) and it looks something like this:

WARNING: If your kids aren’t used to you being silly and this is a new thing for you, they might take it offensively and think you’re trying to be mean.  Make sure to note their facial expressions and verbally, without sarcasm, tell them, “I’m playing with you…wanna get me back?”  And then let them chase you!  Remember, you’re the adult and you’re creating a safe place for them to wrestle that fosters trust & connection.

Be Prepared

6. Setup a Game of Hide and Seek – This is our favorite!  Our kids get the giggles as soon as they head off to find their hiding spot.  Make sure to set rules.  Here are some of ours: No one goes outside to hide, everyone stays in the house.  No scaring by the seeker or the hider (we found it made hard feelings).  No hiding in appliances, no exceptions. You can’t hide together unless it’s a older sibling helping a younger sibling.  NO CHEATING!

7. Chasing Game – You can be a monster, a lion or like in our house, a wolf and then you chase them and  catch them!  It’s that simple – make sure to be gracious and let them slip away from your grasp from time to time.

8. Airplane Rides – In our house it’s just Super Hero Flight Time!  Lay on your back, bend your knees and pull them up to your chest.  Let your little one put his/her chest on your feet evenly, grab their hands to keep them safe and steady and lift!

9. Play Tug-O-War – Yeah, you can probably beat them easily but you could do it blind folded or with one hand only!  Make sure you have plenty of give space behind both sides so no one gets hurt.

10. PILLOW FIGHT!!! – A good ol’traditional pillow fight…BUT if you have young ones or old ones who just don’t know their own strength you can simply change it up a little bit.  You can make it to where only the kids have pillows and they go after the adults – scared?  Come on, you can take it!  Once you capture all the pillows, the fight is over!

11. The Resistance – Want a good little arm work out?  If you’re kids are old enough, you’ll get one with this.  Hold your arms out in front of you with your palms facing each other.  Have your child(ren) take turns putting their hands on the outside of your hands, trying to push your hands together as you push out.  Switch it around and let them put their hands between your hands and let them push out as you push in.

12. Horse Back Rides – Or Dragon Rides…whatever you want to call them…get on all fours and let them climb aboard.  Let them change gears by squeezing your shoulders or gently kicking your side (sounds painful I know…but this is where they can learn how to play gently…one of the great lessons that can be learned through wrestling)

13. Indoor Sled – This was one of my favorites growing up – get out a good and used blanket (because this can tear up a blanket).  One child at a time let them sit down on a blanket that’s laid flat.  Have them grab the back corners – you pick up the other side of the blanket and slowly pull them.  Build up speed that’s appropriate for what your child can handle.  This is best on hardwood floors.

Be Musical

14. Turn it UP! – Pick some fun, up beat music and BLARE IT!  Get ready to dance – dance apart, dance together, have a dancing contest but most of all be silly…this can lead right into wrestling and more fun!

Be Straight Forward

15. Keep it Real – It’s a simple as, “Hey, wanna wrestle?”  There ya go!

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The Lost Art of Wrestling with Your Kids