Gross Motor Activities for Toddlers – Fun Skills for Kids

As parents or caregivers, understanding and facilitating the growth of gross motor activities for toddlers is crucial to their overall development. These activities, which involve the large muscles of the body, are not just about physical growth; they are integral to the cognitive and social-emotional development of young children as well. This blog post will delve into the developmental milestones to watch for in your toddler and provide a multitude of fun and engaging activities that can enhance their gross motor abilities.

Gross Motor Milestones for Toddlers

Gross motor milestones for toddlers are indicators of their physical development, involving the larger muscles of the body used for sitting, standing, walking, and running. Here are some specific milestones regarding gross motor development typically expected at various stages during the toddler years:

By 12 Months, Toddlers Typically:

• Pull to stand and may take steps holding onto furniture or with hands held.
• Sit without support.
• Crawl on hands and knees, with a stomach off the floor.

By 18 Months, Toddlers Might:

• Walk independently.
• Walk up steps with help.
• Pull toys while walking.

By 24 Months (2 Years), Toddlers Often Can:

• Begin to run.
• Kick a ball.
• Stand on tiptoe.
• Climb onto and down from furniture without help.

By 36 Months (3 Years), Toddlers Typically Can:

• Climb well.
• Run easily.
• Pedal a tricycle (3-wheel bike).
• Walk up and down stairs, one foot on each step.

These milestones are based on typical child development, and there can be a wide range of what is considered normal. It’s also worth noting that children develop at their own pace, and there can be considerable variation in when these milestones are reached. If there are concerns about a child’s development, it’s best to consult with a healthcare provider or a pediatric physical therapist. Looking for fine motor ideas? Read this post on Fine Motor Skills and Toddlers.

Gross Motor Activities for Toddlers

Toddlers are constantly on the move, exploring their world and developing new skills during everyday activities. Gross motor activities for toddlers are essential for their physical development, helping them to refine the large muscles in their legs, arms, and core. These activities are designed to promote coordination, balance, and strength, paving the way for a lifetime of physical activity.

Below are different categories of gross motor activities, each with a definition of the skill being developed and ten age-appropriate activities that can help toddlers reach their developmental milestones. These activities are suitable for either indoor and outdoor activities.

Gross Motor Activities for Toddlers: Locomotor Skills

Locomotor skills involve moving from one place to another. These skills are fundamental for toddlers as they include walking, running, hopping, and jumping, which are the building blocks for more complex movements.

1. Marching Parade: Toddlers can march around following a leader or music to develop rhythm and coordination.
2. Animal Walks: Encourage toddlers to imitate animal movements such as bear crawls or crab walks.
3. Bubble Chase: Blow bubbles and have toddlers chase and pop them, encouraging quick changes in direction.
4. Follow the Ribbon: Lay down a ribbon for toddlers to walk along, promoting balance and directional changes.
5. Hopscotch with a Twist: Modify the game by having toddlers walk or jump to retrieve a soft toy placed in the squares.
6. Walking on a Line: Use painter’s tape to make a line on the floor that toddlers can walk along.
7. Obstacle Course: Create a course with cushions, boxes, and tunnels to crawl through, walk around, or step over.
8. Balloon Tap: Keep a balloon in the air using hands or feet, developing coordination and tracking skills.
9. Silly Walks: Have toddlers walk in different styles like high steps or wide steps, enhancing creativity and coordination.
10. Tunnel Crawls: Set up tunnels or make one with chairs and blankets for toddlers to crawl through.

Climbing Skills

Climbing skills are important for toddlers as they develop spatial awareness, strength, and coordination. Climbing activities challenge toddlers to use their entire body in coordination to navigate different heights and depths.

1. Cushion Mountain: Stack cushions for toddlers to climb up and down.
2. Box Hill: Create a hill with sturdy cardboard boxes taped together for climbing over.
3. Soft Play Climbing: Use soft play equipment or a toddler-safe climbing structure.
4. Climb the Couch: Under supervision, allow toddlers to climb onto and off the couch cushions on the floor.
5. Indoor Jungle Gym: If available, use an indoor jungle gym specifically designed for toddlers.
6. Step Stool Reach: Place toys on a low, sturdy step stool for toddlers to climb and reach.
7. Laundry Basket Climb: Overturn a sturdy laundry basket and encourage toddlers to climb over it.
8. Pillow Path: Arrange pillows in a path that toddlers must climb across without touching the floor.
9. Climbing Frame Fun: Visit a playground with a suitable toddler-friendly climbing frame.
10. Ramp Walk: Walk up and down an incline or a ramp to develop balance and control.

Gross Motor Activities for Toddlers: Ball Skills

Ball skills help toddlers develop hand-eye coordination, tracking, and the ability to judge distance and force. These skills lay the foundation for future sports and activities.

1. Roll and Fetch: Roll a ball and have toddlers chase and retrieve it.
2. Catch and Hug: Gently toss a soft ball towards toddlers and encourage them to catch it with their arms.
3. Kick the Ball: Set up a goal with cones and have toddlers kick a ball towards it.
4. Bowling: Set up empty plastic bottles and roll a ball to knock them down.
5. Ball Pit: Play in a ball pit, encouraging toddlers to throw, roll, and sit amongst the balls.
6. Balloon Bat: Use hands to bat a balloon back and forth, a lighter alternative to a ball.
7. Bean Bag Toss: Toss bean bags into a laundry basket or a box.
8. Soccer Dribble: Guide a small ball around obstacles using feet.
9. Sponge Ball Squeeze: Soak sponge balls in water and have toddlers throw them to watch the splash.
10. Pass the Ball: Sit in a circle and roll a ball to each other, promoting social skills and coordination.

Play Skills

Play skills in toddlers involve using imagination and creativity in physical activities, which helps in social development and learning to navigate different physical and social environments. Play simple games with toddlers to encourage gross motor skill activities and active play. The easiest way to encourage play skills is to head outdoors and allow for free play to encourage outdoor gross motor activities.

1. Dance Party: Turn on music and dance freely to encourage whole body movement.
2. Simon Says: Play Simon Says with actions like jumping, clapping, and twirling.
3. Parachute Play: Use a bedsheet as a parachute for lifting and running underneath.
4. Red Light, Green Light: Little kids love this class game. It is a great way to include gross motor activities for young kids and older children.
5. Hide and Seek: Encourage toddlers to find hiding spots, promoting spatial awareness.
6. Pretend Play: Engage in pretend play that involves physical activities like flying like a plane or hopping like a frog.
7. Tag Games: Simple tag games or relay races encourage running and changing direction.
8. Musical Statues: Freeze in place when the music stops, promoting body awareness and control.
9. Scavenger Hunt: Create a simple scavenger hunt with large objects to find and collect.
10. Bubble Stomp: Play a fun game of stomping on bubbles as they land on the ground, promoting foot-eye coordination.

Gross Motor Activities for Toddlers: Playground Activities

Playground activities offer a structured environment for toddlers to practice gross motor skills like swinging, sliding, and navigating play equipment, crucial for physical confidence and social interaction.

1. Gentle Swings: Push toddlers on a toddler-safe swing with support.
2. Slide Time: Supervise toddlers as they climb up and slide down appropriately sized slides.
3. Sandbox Play: Digging and molding in a sandbox promote arm muscle development.
4. Toddler Seesaw: Use a low and slow-moving seesaw designed for toddlers with an adult’s help.
5. Water Play: Splashing and pouring in a water table can strengthen arm muscles.
6. Steering Wheel Play: Play with mounted steering wheels, which can be found on some playground equipment, to develop upper body strength and coordination.
7. Crawl Through Tunnels: Many playgrounds have safe tunnels for toddlers to crawl through.
8. Balance Beam: Walk on a low balance beam with assistance to develop balance.
9. Swinging Bridge: Walk across a stable, toddler-friendly swinging bridge with support.
10. Monkey Bars: With assistance, let toddlers hang briefly from lower monkey bars to strengthen their grip.

Gross Motor Activities for Toddlers: Balance Skills

Balance skills are critical in developing a toddler’s ability to control their body’s movement. These skills are fundamental in all physical activities and play a role in a child’s confidence in exploring their environment.

1. Balancing Walk: Walk along a taped line on the floor or a low beam on the ground.
2. One-Foot Stand: Encourage toddlers to stand on one foot with support for a few seconds.
3. Yoga for Toddlers: Simple yoga poses can be fun and promote balance.
4. Pillow Balance: Place a pillow on the floor and have toddlers step on and off.
5. Ball Balance: Have toddlers try to balance a ball on a spoon while walking.
6. Bean Bag Head Walk: Balance a bean bag on the head while walking around.
7. Wobble Board: Use a toddler-safe wobble board with support to develop core strength.
8. Bubble Pop: Reach for and pop bubbles while standing on one foot with assistance.
9. Rocking Horse: Riding on a rocking horse can help develop a sense of balance.
10. Balloon Keep Up: Try to keep a balloon in the air while standing on a flat surface.

Incorporating these activities into everyday activities can be an easy way to contribute to your child’s gross motor skills without making it feel like a chore. Remember always to supervise young children during these activities to ensure their safety. And most importantly, have fun with it! Engaging in these fun activities with your child not only aids their physical development but also enhances your bond with them.

To discover more great ideas and insights into fostering your child’s development through play, check out these resources:

• Gross Motor Skills and Activities
• Sensory Activities for Toddlers
• Fine Motor Activities for Toddlers
• Emotional Activities for Toddlers
• Toys that Support Development in Infants and Toddlers

Embrace these different activities, and you’ll be providing your toddler with a rich environment for growth and development that will serve them well during their toddler years and beyond.