Gross MotorAll Ages27 Comments
Get outside and really get the kids moving with fun gross motor skills activities and ideas that are perfect for days when the when a dance party just isn’t cutting it!
My boys move constantly and are full of a lot of energy. But, for some reason, our hands-on fun has taken a turn to mostly fine motor activities lately.
I’ve been feeling the need to be outdoors and really move, whether it’s crawling, skipping, hopping, running or whatever gets their energy out!
40+ Gross Motor Activities to Get Your Kids Moving!
Gross motor activities.
I’ve always been a huge fan of ways to get the kids to move! Working on big movements and major large muscles with gross motor specific activities is the perfect way to really move and learn.
Gross motor activities are some of my favorites because:
- It really wears them out! Number one reason by far!
- It’s good for their physical development to learn to move in new ways and build muscles, coordination and what not and so on… you know… all the technical learning stuff that they’re doing. I don’t know all the reasons and benefits of using their gross motor skills, but I just know it’s good to do.
Read more about the benefits of moving at the Moving Smart Blog. I like the information about growing your child’s brain with movement.
In the end, I know working their big muscles helps them work on the little muscles, which in turn help their fine motor skills to prepare them for important stuff like using a scissors and writing!
So to inspire myself, and others, to get the kids moving, I’ve selected a large handful of activities that will help us get them moving and work on those gross motor skills that are really much needed.
Find more ways to move together on HOAWG’s Get the Kids Moving board on Pinterest.
How do you promote gross motor skills?
Working on gross motor skills is so easy compared to other development areas. Kids generally really like to move. All we need to do is provide the opportunity and space.
- Make things bigger. Instead of worksheets, make things bigger, make them move from room to room, or to answer a question. Or make them lay on the floor to do it, or stand up and pin the paper to the wall.
- Take things outside. Giving them ample room to explore and move is key.
- Mix gross motor activities into other types of activities. When they’re doing an art project, can you make it bigger or have them stand in a different way? Or if you’re working on spelling words and writing, what about using sidewalk chalk and drawing the letters as big as they can? This all works on those larger muscles just be making it big.
Make it simple. Think back to your own childhood. What did you enjoy doing? Here are some ideas to get you thinking.
- Hopscotch
- Leap frog
- Crab walks or other animal walks
- Draw a path with sidewalk chalk on the driveway and drive on it with a scooter
- Red Light, Green Light
- Go to the park and use the playground equipment! A swing provides for great opportunity to work on coordination.
- Just go for a walk or stroll
- Try yoga (turn on YouTube and do a quick search for Kids Yoga)
- Hula hoop
- We love painter’s tape to get moving, check out our full list of ideas here.
Super Simple Ways to Gets Kids Moving!
These moving activities are usually perfect for an older toddler or preschooler. They’re hitting the developmental milestones to be able to kick, jump, skip and can understand basic instructions.
But kids this age tend to not have the concentration to sit still and actually pay attention for long (so just keep that in mind).
Find more ideas in our 40+ Big Fun Art Projects for Kids post!
Sometimes, adding a cool material – like newspaper, pillows and blankets, laundry baskets, or cardboard boxes – makes gross motor play extra fun!
Get the kids moving with these creative ideas.
Add a learning twist with our 10 Active Activity Ideas to Learn the Alphabet!
Add an extra element of fun with a friendly challenge.
Create an obstacle course or scavenger hunt that invites them to get move in different ways.
Also check out our 30+ Scavenger Hunt Ideas for Kids To Do at Any Age!
Sometimes, sticking to the classics is a great way to connect with your kids. Which kind of gross motor game did you enjoy as a child? Moving can be super simple, don’t overthink it!
I know we’ve discovered a ton of cool and creative gross motor skills activities that will really get my kids moving! We can’t wait to get outside and play together!
How have you gotten the kids moving with a gross motor activity lately?
Share your favorites with us!
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Abra Conan says
I read this article. I think you put a lot of effort into creating this article. I appreciate your work.
Oluwapelumi says
These tips have been on great help. Fun ways to achieve a lot of goals. Nice work.
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Lindsay says
Great ideas! My 22 month old son would prefer to sit and figure things out so we will definitely be trying some of these to get him moving around! One we did today was throw all the couch cushions on the floor and climb over them. He decided it was more fun to “jump” onto one over and over again, but either way it really wore him out!
Melissa says
Hi there i was looking at your website for ideas for activites that i can do with children. I am currently an early childhood education student in my last year. i spent some time looking at your material. i just wanted you to know that a lot of your activities i would not consider doing with toddlers. some of your actvities are unsafe to do with this age group. i was looking at your sensory section and a lot of the materials you are suggesting for children are unsafe and are putting children at risk. i strongly suggest you consider reviewing whats safe and not. this is just some feedback to help you and reconsider what you post on this website.
Jamie says
Melissa, thanks for your input. I’m a mom. Not an ECE teacher. I do these activities with my kids at home and watch them completely supervised. I know what my children can handle and do and don’t push it. I would definitely recommend using your own judgement for your own kids.
Kundai Chimhau says
Agreed
Tonya @Strings,Keys, and Melodies says
What a great list of activities! Love it and am going to pin it so I can remember everything. Thanks for including me!
Tonya
Chrissy @ The Outlaw Mom Blog says
This is a great compilation of ideas – pinning for future reference! It’ll be nice to be moving again once the kids are over their terrible flu. Thanks for the shout out :-)
crystal@growingajeweledrose says
Great list! Thanks for the inclusion! x
Jen Fischer says
We got moving with a lot of climbing and running at the park and a swim lesson today! So many good tips – my little guy loves to get moving and gross motor skill development is something he is naturally drawn to, so big art is one of the few ways to engage him in art and craft activities.
Stacie says
Thanks for the link! :)
Jill @ A Mom With A Lesson Plan says
Love this list!!! Thanks for the link. :)