Gross Motor Activities for Preschoolers
Do you have a preschooler who needs to get some energy out? Or maybe you’re looking for something new activities to add to your curriculum to develop gross motor skills. Either way, these gross motor activities for preschoolers are sure to please! They’re fun, engaging, and will help promote physical development.
BENEFITS OF GROSS MOTOR ACTIVITIES FOR PRESCHOOLERS
Gross motor activities are important for young children for a variety of reasons. They help to develop large muscle groups, improve coordination and balance, and promote cardiovascular health. Gross motor activities are also a great way to release energy and reduce stress. And of course, they’re just plain fun!
GROSS MOTOR ACTIVITIES FOR PRESCHOOLERS THAT INVOLVE MOVEMENT
Sometimes you need just your kids up and moving! These types of gross motor activities are perfect for those times.
Butterfly Gross Motor Activities
Butterflies are such beautiful creatures, and they’re especially fascinating to preschoolers. Here are some great Butterly Gross Motor Activities to use. Or simply have the children stand with feet together and arms at their sides. Instruct them to flap their arms up and down like wings, and then have them jump up and down. As they get more familiar with the movement, add in some arm movements, like flying around in a circle or “swooping” down to the ground.
Parachute Games
Gross motor activities don’t have to be complicated or require a lot of equipment. A simple parachute can provide hours of fun and gross motor development! There are so many great games that can be played with a parachute. One simple game is to have the children hold onto the edge of the parachute and shake it up and down. See some of these super fun Parachute Games for a ton more ideas.
Simon Says
This classic childhood game is perfect for gross motor development! Simon Says can be played with any number of children, and can be adapted to the age and ability level of the players. To play, one child is chosen to be “Simon.” The other children stand in front of Simon. Simon gives a command that can be anything that involves gross motor movement, such as “Simon says touch your toes,” “Simon says jump in the air,” or “Simon says run around the room.” If Simon gives a command without saying “Simon Says,” then the children should not move. Whoever moves anyway is out, and the game continues until only one child is left. Need ideas? Check out this list of 100 Simon Says ideas or screen share these movements to copy from the game Simon Says.
Obstacle Course
An obstacle course is a great way to work on gross motor skills, while also encouraging problem-solving and critical thinking. You can set up an obstacle course inside with furniture, pillows, and toys, or take it outside with cones, balls, and other objects. Have your students try to get over, under, and around all of your obstacles. Try drawing a sidewalk chalk obstacle course!
GROSS MOTOR ACTIVITIES FOR PRESCHOOLERS THAT INVOLVE BALANCE
Balance is an important gross motor skill for preschoolers to develop. These activities will help them to work on their balance, while also having a ton of fun!
Tightrope Walking
This activity is a great way to work on balance and coordination. You will need two long pieces of rope or yarn, and two chairs. Place the chairs a few feet apart, and tie one end of the rope to each chair. Then, help the children walk along the “tightrope” from one chair to the other. Read 10 different ideas for how to walk across the rope.
Hula Hooping
Hula hooping is not just for kids! It’s a great way to get everyone up and moving, while also working on balance and coordination. If you don’t have hula hoops, you can use scarves or even pool noodles. Just have the children hold onto the end of the scarf or pool noodle and try to keep it around their waist as they move. Read lots of ideas to get moving with these Hula Hoop Games.
Bike Ride
A bike ride is a great way to get some fresh air, explore your neighborhood, and work on your balance. If you don’t have tricycles or bikes, you can also go for a walk or a scooter ride.
DIY GROSS MOTOR ACTIVITIES FOR PRESCHOOLERS
There are so many great gross motor activities that you can do right at home! These activities don’t require any special equipment, and they’re perfect for when you need a quick and easy way to get your kids moving.
Cardboard Box
All you need for this activity is a few empty cardboard boxes and some tape. You can make cars, boats, or even rocket ships! Just decorate the boxes however you like, and then have the kids climb in and out of them or push them across the room.
Balloon Volleyball
This activity is great for gross motor development and hand-eye coordination. You will need two people to hold up a sheet or blanket, and one person to hit the balloon back and forth over the “net.”
Laundry Baskets
This activity is perfect for indoor or outdoor play. Just put a few soft balls or bean bags in a laundry basket and have the kids try to toss them into the basket. You can make it more challenging by moving the baskets further away, or by having the kids stand on one leg or use their non-dominant hand.
OUTDOOR GROSS MOTOR ACTIVITIES FOR PRESCHOOLERS
There are so many great gross motor activities that can be done outdoors! These activities are perfect for when you need to get the kids out of the house and burning off some energy.
Scavenger Hunt
A scavenger hunt is a great way to get the kids moving and exploring. You can hide items around your yard or outdoor area and give the kids a list of things to find.
In Person or Teletherapy Scavenger Hunts
Water Play
Water play is a great way to cool off on a hot day, and it’s also a great way to work on gross motor skills. Just set up a sprinkler, fill up some water balloons, or get out the hose and let the kids run through the water!
Red Light Green Light
This is another classic gross motor game that’s perfect for young children. To play, one child is chosen to be the “traffic light.” This child stands at one end of the playing area, and the other children line up at the other end. When the traffic light says “green light,” the children can move toward the traffic light. But when the traffic light says “red light,” the children must stop. If any child is caught moving when the traffic light is red, they are out. The game is over when one child reaches the traffic light, or when all of the children have been caught and are out.
Playground Games
Take out the soccer balls, jump ropes, and hula hoops for some great gross motor fun! There are so many great games that can be played with common playground equipment. Or if you have access to an actual playground, kids can work on their gross motor skills using the slides, swings, and monkey bars.
Move Like Me – Motor Planning, Coordination and Body Awareness
INDOOR GROSS MOTOR ACTIVITIES FOR PRESCHOOLERS
There are plenty of great gross motor activities that can be done indoors! These activities are perfect for when you need to stay inside, or if the weather isn’t cooperating. Develop gross motor skills indoors using these large group activities for preschoolers.
Dancing
Dancing is a great way to get the kids moving and grooving. Put on some music and let the kids loose! They can jump, spin, hop, or anything else they can think of. Make it a dance party to remember!
Hide and Seek
Hide-and-seek is a great way to work on gross motor skills and get the kids moving. One person hides while the others try to find them. Once the hider is found, it’s their turn to seek!
Tug of War
Tug-of-war is a great way to get the kids moving and working together. Just grab a rope and have the kids hold on to one end. Then, see who can pull the other team across the center line!
Duck Duck Goose
Duck Duck Goose is a classic game that is perfect for indoor play. One person walks around the circle of players tapping each player on the head saying “duck.” When that person taps someone and says “goose,” that person jumps up and chases the first person back to their spot.
These gross motor skills activities are a great way to get your preschoolers up and moving. Not only are they great for each child’s gross motor skills, and physical development, but they can also help with cognitive development and social skills. So get out there and try some of these activities with your little ones. They’re sure to have a blast (and tire themselves out in the process).
MORE PRESCHOOL TIPS AND SUGGESTIONS
Movement Games for Preschoolers – entertaining games for preschoolers to get their bodies moving around the room.
Self Regulation in Preschoolers
Body Parts Activities for Preschoolers
Large Group Activities for Preschoolers – great activities to do with a classroom of preschoolers.
Body Awareness Activities for Kids
Feelings and Emotions Activities for Preschoolers – preschoolers who understand their feelings and emotions have better academic success.
Parachute Activities for Preschoolers – fun activities to do while using a parachute.
