Running
- Go outside – kids naturally want to run
- Play tag
- Play “Red Light, Green Light”
Climbing & Crawling
- Go to the park climb all over the jungle gyms
- Crawling through tunnels
Hopping
- Hopscotch to help develop balance
- Hop like an animal – rabbit, kangaroo
- Play Put the Fire Out - a fun outside activity involving water
Jumping
- Demonstrate jumping (exaggerated)
- Start with child on a springy surface (cushion)
- Jump up to hit a balloon or beach ball
- Progression
o 2 feet
Jump up as many times in a row as possible
Jump forward as many times as possible
Jump as far as possible
Run and jump
o 1 foot
Forwards than backwards
o Sideways
Ball play
- Kicking – soccer ball
- Rolling
- Throwing – throw a ball into a box, laundry basket, or wide trashcan
- Catching – start with a balloon and large stuffed animals
- Progression
o Starting sitting and progress to standing
o Start with large ball and progress to smaller ball
o Start with light ball and progress to heavier ball
o Start with overhand throw and progress to underhand throw
o Start with 2 hand catch and progress to one hand catch
Batting
- Try a bigger, thicker bat to start with and work your way up to a smaller one. You can also try tennis, golf or racquetball.
Walking
- Walking a straight line
o Place a line of tape on the floor (don’t use masking tape on carpet) and walk along it
o Walk along a curb or fallen log
- Walking backwards
March
- Play music and march around the room..
More ideas:
Toddler Gross Motor Activities
Some ideas from:
Early Learning
Universal Preschool
