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21 Gross Motor Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers

February 21, 2020

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All kids need to develop their gross motor skills and work their big muscles.

The easiest option is to go to a playground and let them climb. But if you don’t have one available or it’s too rainy, cold, or hot, it’s not doable.

Here are some great ideas to get your toddler or preschooler moving no matter the weather.

21 Gross Motor Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers

What Kinds of Activities Build Gross Motor Skills?

Any kind of movement of the large muscle groups can build your child’s gross motor skills.

Things like running, walking, jumping, climbing. All normal things kids do.

But also crawling, swinging a bat, balancing, and sometimes even stretching.

Play any kind of sport or do any kind of exercise like jumping rope or jumping jacks.

When Should Kids Work on Developing Gross Motor Skills?

Babies especially need to develop gross motor skills so they can learn to walk.

Toddlers are learning coordination and how to handle their own body.

One year olds and two year olds are ready for fun simple activities using their whole body.

Preschoolers are starting to be able to control their body a bit more.

And by three years old they’re ready to start playing fun games that help promote gross motor skills.

Kindergartners and older kids should still work on their gross motor skills and refine them.

You can check this guide to see if your child is behind in development.

21 Gross Motor Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Get your toddlers and preschoolers moving with these activities to promote gross motor development.

Related:  10 Easy Candy Cane Crafts for Toddlers & Preschoolers
1

Sidewalk Chalk Obstacle Course

A bonus of this game is that it teaches your kids to follow directions and recognize shapes!

2

Pete the Cat Movement Activity Inspired by His Four Groovy Buttons

Photo Credit: theeducatorsspinonit.com

We love this book and this movement game.

3

5 Fun Scavenger Hunts

These scavenger hunts can be done inside or outside. And they can be modified for kids of all ages. It gets them up and moving.

4

Sidewalk Chalk Alphabet Cookie Themed Fun for Outdoors

Photo Credit: theeducatorsspinonit.com

Here's another fun book related activity that gets kids running around and learning about letters.

5

Outdoor Window Painting

Photo Credit: www.simplefunforkids.com

If you're okay with messy play (especially outside) try this fun painting activity.

6

Backyard Color Match Game for Toddlers

Photo Credit: creativefamilyfun.net

Teach your toddlers and preschoolers about colors and matching with this outside game.

7

Gross Motor Water Transfer

Photo Credit: www.simplefunforkids.com

Have your toddler or preschooler transfer water with this fun summer activity.

8

Jack be Nimble Nursery Rhyme

Photo Credit: lifeovercs.com

Remember the Jack Be Nimble rhyme? Jack be nimble, Jack be quick, Jack jump over the candlestick. Have your toddler or preschooler jumping over candlesticks in your living room.

9

Spider Web Obstacle Course Activity for Kids

Photo Credit: www.mamasmiles.com

Pretend to be spiders and make a web obstacle course.

10

Giant Pattern Blocks

Photo Credit: theeducatorsspinonit.com

Remember those shapes you can use to make patterns and pictures? I think we called them Tangrams. You can make giant ones!

Related:  21 Easter Crafts for 3 Year Olds
11

Super Simple Gross Motor Activity

Photo Credit: koriathome.com

This one is really easy to do if you have some packing wrap from a recent Amazon purchase laying around.

12

Winter Gross Motor Dice

Photo Credit: lifeovercs.com

Here's a great indoor game for winter to promote gross motor development.

13

Jumping Lines Proprioceptive Gross Motor Activity

Photo Credit: littlebinsforlittlehands.com

All you need for this indoor gross motor activity is some tape.

14

Gross Motor Farm Game

Photo Credit: modernpreschool.com

Here's a fun animal game. Not only does your child get some exercise, they also learn about animals and how they move.

15

Balloon Tennis Gross Motor Play Activity

Photo Credit: littlebinsforlittlehands.com

I always forget this fun game. It's a great indoor game to play with little ones.

16

Under the Stars Game

This is a cute gross motor game for toddlers that involves reaching for the stars.

17

Tic Tac Toss

Photo Credit: wunder-mom.com

If you have some tape and bean bags, you can try playing Tic Tac Toss.

18

15 Animal Walks for Sensory Input

Photo Credit: lemonlimeadventures.com

Here's a fun way to get energy out without any prep. The only thing you need is space.

19

Pool Noodle Agility Ladder

Photo Credit: wunder-mom.com

Make your own tire obstacle with pool noodles and turn your backyard in to a mini boot camp.

20

Ball In A Bag

Photo Credit: mosswoodconnections.com

This is a fun game you can play outside. You might need to modify it just a little for toddlers so they don't hit themselves in the face. But preschoolers and older kids should be fine.

Related:  15 Valentine's Day Crafts for Toddlers and Preschoolers
21

Recycled Cardboard Box Ball Game

Photo Credit: littlebinsforlittlehands.com

How about a fun game with boxes? My daughter loves playing with all of our Amazon boxes.

Does Your Toddler or Preschooler Like to Play Gross Motor Games?

Let me know in the comments below!

Also if you have any other ideas for gross motor activities for toddlers and preschoolers, I’d love to hear them.

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Toot's Mom is Tired

Hi! I’m Niki.

I’m a mom of a kid called Toot. Yes, I’m always tired!

So I’m sharing all of my tips, hacks, and recommendations for other tired moms to make parenting and mom life a little easier.

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