8 Activities to Boost Gross Motor Skills

TIPS FOR THE ACTIVITIES:

 Try to switch up the activities between indoor, and outdoor.

 Allow 15-30 minutes for each activity; remember that the time it takes for an activity
may change depending on how long your child is able to focus their attention. It’s
okay if they take a shorter or longer amount of time than you thought they needed.
 Before changing to a new activity, remember to give your child transitioning time, and
offer them choice as much as possible. For example: “We’re going to play a different
game in about 5/10 minutes; would you like to play a drawing game or go outside,
next?” This gives them time to process in their little brains that they need to change
their point of focus soon, and it gives them some control and choice in the situation,
(i.e., choosing the next game).
 Remember to be positive! If your child succeeds in winning a game, finds an item on
their scavenger hunt list, or creates a piece of artwork, praise them, encourage them,
and provide them with positive feedback. For example: “Wow, I love how you drew
that boat, it’s amazing! I like the colours that you picked.” Or, “Yay!! Great job, you
won the game!! Should we play again??” Be enthusiastic, kind, and encouraging.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE ACTIVITIES:
1. Backyard or park scavenger hunt. (Boosts gross and fine motor skills, facilitates
learning, and problem solving).
Grab a small basket, or other container, and your list of items to hunt for, and
head outside! Whether in the back yard, at the park, or wildlife center, there will be lots
of fun things for your child to find outdoors. Write down a list of things for them to find,
anywhere between six to twelve (6-12) items, and help him/her search! Examples of
what to write can include: a feather, a pinecone, small flowers, big flowers, something in
their favourite colour, funny looking sticks, three leaves, a purple leaf, something they
think is “cool”, etc.
2. Playing pass/catch. (Boosts gross motor skills, facilitates communication and
inhibitory control).
The classic game of pass with a soft ball for even ten (10) minutes helps your
little one get better at their hand-eye coordination skills, gross motor skills (catching,
throwing, etc.,) and provides you both with opportunities to laugh, be silly, and have
fun. Playing pass back and forth also lets you have the chance to teach them about
gentleness, communication, (“Are you ready? I’m going to throw the ball, now!”), and
patience (waiting for the other person to be ready before you throw the ball at them).
3. Have a dance party! (Boosts gross motor skills, facilitates use of creativity and
imagination).
 Turn on some of your child’s favourite music, or some other good tunes, and
have a dance party together! Have fun with this, let them show you their best dance
moves and encourage them to make up some silly, crazy, and funky new moves. Dance
with your child, if possible. They will absolutely love spending this time with you, and it
will create some wonderful memories for them.
4. Build an obstacle course. (Boosts gross motor skills, problem solving, and learning).
Create an obstacle course right in your own living room! Make a course out of
pillows, cushions, pots, pans, blankets, plastic containers, etc., and encourage your child
to navigate the course. They can climb under a blanket, crawl around the table legs,
stack the pots and containers, whatever it takes to reach the finish line! (For an added
bit of fun, have a simple prize for your child at the end of the obstacle course such as a
couple of cookies, or a bowl of popcorn).
5. Clean-up Race. (Boosts gross motor skills, inhibitory control, and problem solving).
Now, how can we make a chore, that is often a fight, (such as cleaning your
room), into something that is fun? Make it into a “clean-up race”! Ask your child to see
how fast they can tidy up some of the toys in their room, or the living room, and see if
they can be the “fastest cleaner ever”! This makes cleaning up a fun game for your child,
while also being helpful for you as their parent. You can also make this extra exciting for
them, if you play music and tell them that the race is all done when the song is over.
6. Keep the Balloon Up. (Boosts gross motor skills, and problem solving).
This classic game only requires some space, and a couple of balloons. Blow up a
balloon or two for your child, and tell them they have to bounce it into the air and try as
hard as they can to keep it from touching the floor. This can entertain kids for a while,
and provides them with the opportunity to get moving, in a fun way!
7. Balance Beam. (Facilitates inhibitory control, boosts gross motor skills, and enhances
focus skills).
All you need for this activity is some masking tape and a bit of space. Make a line
of masking tape as long as you can, throughout the living room, bedroom, or hallway.
Make it into a straight line, zig-zags, a circle, spirals, etc. Ask your little one to start at
one end of the tape beam, and walk along it to the other end. Tell them they have to
keep their feet on the line, and make it to the finish!
8. Go for a walk together. (Boosts gross motor skills, inhibitory control, and facilitates
learning).
Weather depending, going for a walk around the block or into town with your
child is a fantastic way to help them get out and active, as well as giving you some time
to build extra on your connection with your child. This also provides you with
opportunities to teach them about the rules of the road (i.e., how to look both ways
before crossing, how to push the button and wait for the crosswalk signal, etc.)