It's baby parkour time!
Thursday, April 26, 2012 
When I was in kindergarten, I jumped off the jungle gym at school and landed on my head, necessitating the only stitches I have ever gotten. My parkour career ended before the sport was even invented. What is parkour? It's the craziest, coolest, break-all-the-bones-in-your-bodiest urban jungle gym sport ever. And Lessi loves it. Of course, I have modified it slightly for our purposes (as well as child protective services).
We call it Baby Parkour, and of course I made a video of us engaging in this new version that I hope will sweep backyards and playgrounds all over the country.
I do these things because I take my role as a Play Ambassador for Let's Play very seriously. Let's Play is a partnership between Dr. Pepper Snapple Group and the non-profit KaBOOM that provides grants to communities to build or fix up playgrounds. When I was a kid, my life revolved around playgrounds, and so should every kid's, regardless of where they live.
In addition to providing playgrounds, Let's Play is committed to simply making sure that families get out there and PLAY. We're not talking math homework. We're not talking vacuuming the house. We're not talking eating our vegetables. We're not talking the proletarian struggle against bourgeoisie. We're talking good old-fashioned, down and dirty outdoor play. Not a difficult cause to be down for.
And since today is the one-year anniversary of Let's Play, all I'm asking you to do is go to their Facebook Page and take the "Let's Play Pledge" to spend 60 more minutes per week activley playing with your kids. That's it. I'm sure your kids think that's a killer idea. While you're there, you can also apply for a grant to fix up or build a playground in your neighborhood (they will give out $3 million in playground grants this year).
It's good + good + good. You know what else is wicked good? My Baby Parkour video on LetsPlay.com.
Check it out and join the LetsPlay.com community while you're at it. We're all about play. There is no better common denominator for "things we all like." Well, that I can write on this blog anyway.
Reader Comments (6)
I don't know where to start with that one. Great cause first of all. Kickstart My Heart was an excellent addition to the video. Sort of off topic but semi relevant, Dr. Pepper is awesome! Videos are always great to watch and finally children riding dogs is hilarious!!
Off to take the pledge! Do you think they'll find out if I don't do it???? Nevermind.
yay! baby and doggy parkour! :) Hah, krypto must look huge to a two year old. It does indeed look like a great workout - at least for the adult. First time I played it with Fury he was two! LOL in Turkey in dad's room trying to tire him out at 2am....I remember he was side climbing the walls with his little feet and I was just hoping he'd get tired (oh well). Suddenly, he got too big and my I almost broke in half trying to carry him to his bed one night when he was 7 :(
I'll be screaming for a massage at the end of the day, I'm sure, if we engage in Baby Parkour play...
Very cool, man! My daughter is too old for me to fling around like that, but gives me ideas for my nephew though!
More parkour! More up. Gonna need some muscle relaxants...
Is that your new backyard? Beautiful. And I promise to not ignore my kids as much this week. Does that count for the pledge?
I stand here with my right arm held aloft! I swear by all that is true and just that I shall "PLAY". My children will now not only get a fair amount of educational play from me but also so from here on out some back to basics Play Play... U have my pledge.
Lisa Mills
Mum of 7
Creative Gifts Ltd