Play + Coordinated whole body movements = Gross motor development (and fun)
Classic games
Jump rope, tag, hopscotch, four square, Simon Says, Mother May I, hide & seek, etc.
- Visit a playground
Climbing ladders, going down slides, and pumping legs on the swings are all great ways to use large muscles
- Play ball
Toss, roll, kick, bounce, and catch using ball of different sizes
- Dance Party
Play music and dance. Or make it into a game: demonstrate a dance move and have your child copy it!
- Make an (age-appropriate) obstacle course
For toddlers, stack pillows/cushions on the floor and have them climb over the “hills”
For preschoolers, encourage your child to jump into and out of hula hoops on the ground; practice tossing a ball into a box
Adapted from: First 5 California
Have questions about your child’s gross motor skills development? Wondering if your child is meeting milestones?
Check out the Milestone Tracker App
