Gross MotorPreschoolersToddlers24 Comments
This is a simple DIY balance beam for toddlers to practice balancing, which is a major gross motor skill for every toddler, and preschooler, to learn.
Use this beam at no real risk of you toddler falling and getting hurt!
I read an article at Balanced and Barefoot about the importance of getting the kids moving (and why they fidget). Letting them move, and most importantly, building their core strength.
Balancing does that. And kids definitely need it.
Making a backyard DIY balance beam is so simple that a toddler can even make it themselves!
Making a DIY Balance Beam for Toddlers:
Supplies Needed for Your Toddler Balance Beam:
- Scrap wood planks
So, grab some scrap wood from the garage or shop and lay out in the lawn.
(If you have clean boards, bring it inside for an indoor walk the plank activity, an idea from No Time For Flash Cards.)
Add corners to your toddler DIY balance beam where you like, you could even make a balance beam maze for toddlers!
How cool would that be? We love mazes!
Or one simple piece of board is enough, too.
Setting up your toddler balance beam is as simple as that.
How to Use the DIY Balance Beam for Toddlers:
Now that you are all set up it’s time to play.
Even more simple is the activity itself!
Just walk the line!
Another walk the line activity that promotes balance for toddlers.
Walk your way across the boards, and learn a very important physical skill.
Balance.
And there you have it! A DIY balance beam activity to keep your toddler busy while building core strength and gross motor skills.
This is a simple toddler activity included in our 50 activities just for your toddler collection.
A simple DIY balance beam like this will help toddlers learn to balance a bike to ride.
Henry is now older and rode his bike without training wheels at 4 1/2 years old. I’m convinced this contributed to that.
But this will also help them gain core strength which will hopefully, in turn, help them fidget less.
What Other Ways Are There to Practice Balance?
- Walk the line of tape
- 20 physical activities for toddlers with lots of energy
- Tell us your ideas in the comments!
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Guille Garcia says
As balancing is the most important key element in doing gymnastics this kid toddlers help a lot kids to make skills of balancing in early ages.
Brocho says
For the letter B I made a balancing beam with all the Duplo, putting square pieces in between rectangular ones. We then put strips of tape down the beam to strengthen it. This was the first part, interactive and an accomplishment. Also a novel way to use an old toy. Then we used it as a balancing beam for a few days.
[email protected] says
I saw balance bean in the title of the post and automatically thought of kids balancing in the air… whew! Love the idea of letting the kids design the course. And super easy to mix it up with different shapes!
Jill says
My girls love to walk on the balance beam inside with painters tape on the rug. Super easy to put down and take up.
Roxanne Drury says
When we are out for a walk, I have the kids walk along inside sidewalk curbs and the top of short block walls. It’s perfect!!! and they love it.
Kristy says
This is going on our To-Do Immediately list. I like the wood blocks idea, too, Brenna, in case I can't find the right types of boards!
We do an indoor balance beam/walking path with those colored foam craft squares you can buy at most grocery, drug, and craft stores.
I linked to this post on my Camp Backyard post. :)
Michelle Breum says
My kids like to make teeter totters out of our extra boards. The balance beam maze idea looks like fun.
Brenna says
Learning to balance on wood blocks takes practice and is a great way to learn. We set up a balance beam last week during our Circus week. One balance beam was wood blocks; another was a tape line on the floor. It took much more work and concentration on the block beam.