Gross Motor
PopularToddlersPreschoolers99 Comments
Just six simple lines of tape can lead to a lot of fun while you develop fine motor skills, too!
We recently did our tape jumping game again.
It is such a blast! The kids get so many giggles out of it.
This time, we expanded on it a little though and had some more fun with the same lines of tape?
First, I used painter’s tape and made six lines of tape about a foot apart from each other.
Or try these 2 activities with ‘different lines’ of tape, which is one of the challenges during the 7 day challenge.
And then we had so much fun!
A note before starting: I highly recommend the use of painter’s tape in many, many activities. However, it can damage hardwood floors. I recommend the use of delicate surface painter’s tape (affiliate link), and to also test it in a hidden area before doing in the middle of your floor. If at all possible, do this on carpet (tape sticks to that too!) or tile flooring. Or you can take this outside as well and do it with sidewalk chalk. Same thing!
What can be done with some lines of tape?
1. Jump, of course!
The original way we did it, jumping from the first line and seeing how far they could jump.
We also jumped from line to line or skipping over a line.
2. Jump backward
Same as number 1, just doing backward.
3. Jump with one foot
George has been practicing this at school a lot, so it was fun to bring it into this activity. He can definitely jump on one foot, but not very far (mostly in place).
He asked me to hold his hand while jumping with one foot to help him.
4. How far can you stretch?
Starting with your foot on the first line, see how far you can stretch with your other foot while keeping your first foot in place.
5. How far can you reach?
Start by standing on the first line and then bending over to touch the next line with your hands. Then walk forward with your hands, seeing how far you can reach.
6. How long are you?
Measure yourself! Lay down and see how long you are.
For older kids, write down their measurements and compare!
For younger kids, just do it and giggle!
Louis is 2 years old and he can jump pretty good, but can’t jump far enough from line to line yet. But he gets in there and does everything still haven’t a blast!
For all kids, I highly recommend that you, the parent, teacher or caregiver, do it too. That’s what will make them get the most giggles when they see you doing it.
I recommend doing this for any of the activities in the 7 day challenge. It really makes a difference!
What else can you do with simple lines of tape?
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Carol Labuschagne says
Hi! I just love all these ideas and activities. Thank you so much for sharing it!
preeti says
simple yet fun activities these! loved using them in my classroom …. the children so eagerly wait to repeat these… many thanks!
dayna says
Just want to say how wonderful these activities are for a multitude of reasons! Movement And interaction in learning Is extremely important for all ages especially for our littles!!
Narinder says
Beautiful. My kids will love to do these activities with tape
Laura says
Oh, I posted too soon. He did the sideways crab too! My 2yo just went crazy, haha! Thanks for a great indoor exercise activity when it’s in the 20°s outside!
Laura says
My 5yo thought of crawling on hands and knees in between the lines without letting the rest of you touch the lines. So feet are held up high near your butt and you’re on pointy knees. He also thought of doing jumping jacks, feet out on one line and then feet together on the next. He did somersaults along the “ladder” too!
hotmail says
It’s such a nice idea. My son will love this game much.
Karla PRO says
I’ll be enchanted to learn new ways to play and fun with my little sun please send me this easy plan
Courtney says
These are great ideas. Thanks for the tip about the hardwood floor as that’s what we have all over. For lines, we practice walking forward and backward on them with feet touching (heel to toe) to make it harder; seeing how many sideway jumps you can do before stopping or stepping on the line and doing 180 jumps over the line. Thanks again!
Sachin says
Thanks a lot for this information. I loves to read this blog. Keep it up
Cjo says
While I certainly don’t intend to be rude as suggested by another commenter, the activity, while wonderful, addresses ‘gross’ motor skills as opposed to ‘fine’ motor skills as identified in the opener, which would involve the hands and fingers. No offense intended!
Rachel says
Yes, it is definitely a gross motor activity and is labeled as such – lots of big movement here! Hope your kids enjoy it!
Julie says
Great idea for my 4 1/2 yr old grandson. We did all of the above, plus he even made up some games himself. We also measured items to see how many tapes long they were, everything was 2-3 tapes long. My 2 yr old granddaughter wasn’t interested. I wanted her to work on her balance by stepping on each tape line, but nah. Lol
Thomas says
Great post! Have nice day ! :) poovf
Thembi says
Helpful and creative activities..Thanks a lot…
Vicky says
These are good , I have 3 grand babies tomorrow and it’s supposed to rain all day !! Thanks
Yulai lu says
GOOd activity
Big sis says
This is truly a good way to stall time and wounder full learning activities! My little siblings love it!
Joanne Politz says
I watch my granddaughters and ran out of ideas and arts and crafts that I did as a young child.I cant tell you how much Pintress has given me great ideas that will also educate them and give them better motor skills.Iam so thankful for this site. Blessed NaNa
Pranita says
Excellent way to teach
Sandra Washington says
Each gets a bean bag. Throw bean bag between the first two lines. Then the second two lines until you reach the final two. Then do it backwards until you get to original starting spot. If you miss a spot, continue each turn until you get it!
Lyn H says
I will use this idea to teach counting in 2’s, 5’s and 10’s with each line representing the counting pattern….thanks :)
stay at home mom says
Thanks so much for the awesome idea. This will be a hit for my very active 3 yr old and comes in handy for my 6yr old who is on the spectrum.
Kecia says
You can also try jumping from line to line while counting syllables.
Stephanie Fambro says
These are really great activities using only tape.
Jenny cullen says
Really like the fantastic ideas
Teaching Assistant says
Thank you for such brilliant (and low cost!!!) ideas. Will be using them in our new “Learn to move” club next term.
sally says
Thankyou for the great ideas I will be taking them into my preschool
Wendy Taylor says
Thanks for the idea!
My mind is working on ideas for working this into my kindergarten class!
We are working on measurement!
We can measure our steps, jumps and hops; our height; the length of things in the classroom . . . . . . . I’m taking a tape measure and roll of painters tape to school tomorrow!!
MRS Zaid says
Hi I like the activities for my two toddlers
Will love to receive more and on regular basis thank you
Meg says
This looks perfect for my super-energetic three-year-old. We use painters tape ALL the time around our house for different activities. It’s the best!
Chrissy says
Such a great idea – super cheap and looks like a lot of fun. :)
Amy says
I love these ideas! And I love blue tape too! I’ve done a giant graph on the floor with tape for graphing activities or Voting… (like for which team you think will win the Super Bowl :) Then, the kids on their own took our basket of plastic animals and pretended the taped lines were the cages at the zoo, and they put the animals in the different areas by type. This then morphed to me being the zookeeper and the kids being the animals, and they would escape! They also used the lines as parking for the cars and trucks we have in the room… So much fun! You’ve inspired me, I will try your ideas this week!
Sue says
Great ideas but jumping on one foot is called hopping. As a former pe teacher that was a skill they needed to learn and know what it was called. It’s a difficult thing to do until they get a bit older and stronger. Also requires balance
Anonymous says
Wow. Some people are very rude.
Dr. PE says
You are absolutely right PE teacher! I wish the rest of the world could understand that you aren’t being rude…you are trying to inform the general public about developmental appropriateness through the use of carefully selected skill themes because you are educated in motor development and motor learning. S/he who believes this was a rude statement is most likely ignorant and probably refers to you as a gym teacher anyway!
Wendy Taylor says
Ummmm . . . I come here for the great ideas and sharing.
Can we all just get along without insults?
(And this is why you should never read the comments.)
Sue Gibson says
How far apart are the lines or doesn’t it matter?
Jamie Reimer says
Doesn’t really matter. I did about a foot apart. Closer together for younger kids, or you can try making it further for older kids.
Linda says
What a great idea! I’m going to try this with my 2-year old. He can’t jump very far now, maybe this will take his jumping to an other level!
The Educational Tourist says
What great activities! I love blue painter’s tape and I never travel without it! My readers will love these fun activities which would be perfect in a hotel room! Love this post!
Rebecca Smith says
We pretended to walk like different animals across it. When we were done, my 4 year old pulled up the tape and remade it into shapes on the floor.
Kathleen says
How far apart are the lines? Hard to tell ~ 10″ ~ 12″ ? Looks like a fun way to get big movement in a fun way ~ I just started working with Toddlers this year and appreciate the ideas you have.
Thank you,
Kathleen
Jamie Reimer says
We did them about a foot apart – but it might be helpful to see how far your toddler can jump before putting them too far apart.
Kim says
We love our lines! Thanks for the idea. We used them today with puff balls and straws, using the straws to blow the puff balls from one end to the other. We raced and then tried to get them to the other end with only a few blows.
Carol says
Chalk may also work outdoors
Jamie Reimer says
Yes that would be a great alternative!!
Kim says
I made a “road” for my granddaughter with tape and she drove her little cars all over it. She loved it!
Liza says
great ideas! You could also play bean bag games with the tape. Trying to get the bean bag to land right on or right in between the lines. Or some kind of modified hopscotch with the lines, a bean bag and enthusiastic jumping.
Jamie Reimer says
Great idea – I think we’ll try that next time we have them taped out. Or maybe blowing pom poms to see how far you can blow in one puff!
Cass@frugalfamily says
I like it – simple to set up and simple to do.
Thanks for joining in with #FabulouslyFrugal this week x x
Jamie Reimer says
Thanks!
Linda W says
Looks like great fun and a little exercise slipped in there too!
Ann @ My Nearest and Dearest says
My boy is SO full of beans. He loves jumping and showing off his athletic prowess ;). We will be getting out the tape today. Thank you!!!
Judy Peterson says
Love some of these ideas with the tape..I work with fantastic special needs children and am anxious to try this..I know they will love it. Thank you for sharing!
Melissa says
I love how tape can be turned into so many fun activities. I like the idea of incorporating measuring activities in with the gross motor skills.
Pam says
As an early childhood music teacher, I used 5 longer lines to teach the staff to kindergarteners. The students were the notes and jumped around the staff being line or space notes, etc. It was a fun, active way to learn the staff and a class favorite.
Richard says
For older kids you can play the inchworm game. Have them stand on a line at one end and then put their hands on another line and then “walk” with their hands to the next line and then “walk” back.
Jamie Reimer says
What a great idea Richard! Thanks for sharing that. We’ll be doing it for sure!
Kristen says
Love your activity suggestions…..I will definitely be sharing with my teen parent students to try with their kiddies!!
Theres Just One Mommy says
So much fun with just 6 lines of tape! We used tape that way and then “climbed it” like a ladder on the ground.
Jamie Reimer says
What a clever idea!!
Danielle says
Learn to do pike ups? Have them do “How Far Can You Reach?” Then have them walk their feet up the lines with their hands in the farthest place they can reach. For the older kids, have them jump their feet up the lines as the keep their hands on the last line. Never too young for exercise :)
Jamie Reimer says
Ooooh – challenging! I like it!