Get Exercise with a Homeschool Circus

My preschooler always loved to move! One day we were at the playground and I suggested we do a circus. She was eager to get started! We did another “circus” in our own backyard on our playset and inside as well. This is an imagination game she wants to redo again and again.


Why Play Circus

The circus is not something that my kids will probably see. Ringling Brothers has stopped its circus after 146 years. Given what we know about animals, it’s probably best to stop putting them through a show. (Although no animals are harmed in Ringling Brothers circus acts, the popularity of watching them as a curiosity has faded.)

But, there is something delightful about showing off and being daring. My daughter also enjoyed watching Dumbo. Personally, I think it’s a rather dumb show (pun intended), but it is a classic and my daughter loves the circus scenes.

Why not do your own circus in your backyard or at the playground?


A Few Classic Circus-Themed Picture Books

When we can't play outside, it might be fun to jump into some great circus picture books. Here are just a few.


Circus Shapes by Stuart J. Murphy.

Circus by Lois Ehlert. 

Harold's Circus by Crockett Johnson.

I See a Circus, I See by Mike Downs.

Circus Train by Jennifer Cole Judd

Extraordinary Jane by Hannah E. Harrison.

Adam and His Tuba by Ziga X Gombac.

Peter Spier's Circus.


What to do for a Backyard Circus? A Few Ideas

  • High wire (or balance beam). Practice walking along a “wire” or straight line in your home, on your patio or deck, or at a playground!
  • Jumping through hoops. Try jumping through a hula hoop. Plus, do the hula! It’s harder than it looks!
  • Trapeze artistry. Play on the rings and bars on as wing set and do some neat tricks or
  • Climbing. Go up the slide. Climb a difficult wall. Climb and hop on tires or other thingies. What could be better than climbing up the slide?
  • Trampoline. How high can you jump? Dumbo jumped down from a huge tower into a pool of water. But we’re just jumping as high as we can!
  • Play with a pet. We don’t have a dog. But if you do, wouldn’t it be fun to try to teach your dog some new tricks?
  • Clown. Who is the funny one in the family? Tell jokes and do physical comedy by running in to people or “falling” over.
  • Juggle. Ok, so none of us were successful at juggling, but it was fun to run around with balls and play catch!

What other ideas can you think of for your backyard circus?

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