It’s Four Favorites time!

This month we’re talking about physical development and last week I focused on rough and tumble play. (Read more here.)

But we also talked about how not all kids are into rough and tumble. Not all kids are into aimlessly running around on the playground. When that’s the case, how can we make sure they’re getting enough movement throughout the week?

Here are four ways you can make movement more fun for you and your little ones!

Obstacle courses

Obstacle courses are great because they work both outdoors and indoors! At one of my preschools, we had tons of materials for this:  long pieces of wood shaped in a half circle that could become tunnels or bridges, balance beams, wood slices that were reminiscent of baseball bases, hula hoops, fabric tunnels, tires…The possibilities were endless. Thankfully(!), you don’t have to have all these things to create an interesting course!

Use the cushions on your couch to build a tunnel. Your patio table could be a checkpoint that kiddos have to run around three times before moving on. Those pavers in your backyard can easily become lily pads in a pond or safe spots from hot lava. You can buy cheap planks of wood from a hardware store or stop by a local tire shop to ask for old tires.

The beauty of an obstacle course is that you can always change it, even while you’re playing. Work together with your kids to build an exciting course or surprise them with one in the backyard on a Saturday morning!

Hiking

Although it requires you to get outdoors, hiking provides a plethora of gross motor opportunities. Kids can climb trees, run through wide open spaces, walk for long distances, all while getting to take in the beauty of the great outdoors. If you don’t know where an open space (undeveloped, natural lands open to the public) is, try your state Parks and Recreation department, Sierra Club chapter, or use your favorite search engine to find “open spaces near me.” If that still doesn’t work, you can always find a local park that fits your child’s needs.

If you do go out in nature with your kiddos, make sure you know what to look out for in that area. What type of clothing will they need? Are there poisonous plants to avoid? Is there a possibility of ticks or chiggers? Know what you need to know to keep your little ones safe, but also learn about the wildlife in the area! You might just have a few hawk, deer, bunny sightings!

(Read more about the benefits of nature here.)

Dance parties and Movement songs

This one is so simple. It can happen anywhere, anytime. There are no special rules (unless you need to establish some for safety) and it supports coordination and body awareness! Dance parties can happen while you’re cooking, while your kiddo is drying off after a bath, in that weird lull when kids are switching between toys while playing and they’re less focused… Just throw on some music and get to grooving!

If you’re looking for something a little more directed, there are tons of great movement songs out there. My favorite movement song, “Bear Hunt,” takes you on a long adventure where you have to mimic passing through grass, mud, a cave, and if you want to get creative, whatever else you decide! “Tooty Ta,” another of my favorites, is a gibberish song that directs you to do a series of goofy movements. You and your little ones will be on the floor in a giggle fit by the end. There are so many versions of these songs and more, so get on the internet, find your favorites, and have fun!

Old school playground games

Last but certainly not least on my list of favorite gross motor experiences is traditional playground games. Hopscotch is nearly always a hit. You can label the boxes with numbers, shapes, colors, and letters and kids can throw something like a bean bag (or if you trust them, a rock) to determine which square they need to jump to. They can try jumping with both feet or for an extra challenge, just one!

Jump rope requires a ton of coordination, playing catch supports hand-eye coordination and throwing skills, and have you seen all the different versions of tag?! In Tunnel Tag, tagged kids freeze and make a tunnel by stretching their legs out like a tunnel and another kid has to crawl through in order to unfreeze them. There’s “What Time is It, Mr. Fox” where the person who’s “it” is Mr. Fox. Everyone calls out “what time is it, Mr. Fox?” Mr. Fox gives a time and the players have to walk that many steps in the direction of Mr. Fox. When Mr. Fox finally calls out “LUNCH TIME!” everyone scatters and Mr. Fox tries to catch lunch. Search the internet for even more versions!

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I hope this list of gross motor activities brings you and your little ones lots of excitement, fun, connection, and growth. Let me know which ones you try! Happy playing!