25 Gross Motor Activities For Preschoolers To Get Them Moving

Gross Motor Activities are the superhero training ground for your child’s large muscle groups – think running, jumping, balancing, and tossing.  But they are not just about burning off steam … they are crucial for developing your child's coordination, and strength.

I know firsthand how important it is to add these activities into a child's routine to build their minds and bodies.. By including gross motor activities, they will help your child develop strength and confidence.

Fun Gross Motor Activities For Preschoolers

Are you tired of hearing the familiar chorus of "I'm bored" coming from your preschooler? It's time to get them moving with some fun gross motor activities for preschoolers!

Discover 25 exciting activities that boost your preschooler's gross motor skills and keep them active! From obstacle courses and dance parties, get set to witness your child’s energy levels reach new heights.

1. Jump for Joy

Why not start off the list with a classic? Jumping is a great way for your preschooler to burn off some energy! Find a safe place indoors or outside and encourage them to jump as high as they can. You can even make it a game - who can jump the highest?

2. Have a Dance Party

Turn up the music and get ready to boogie! Clear some space in your living room and have a dance party with your little one. Don't be afraid to let loose and show off your best moves. Dancing is not only fun, but it also helps with coordination and rhythm.

3. Play Balloon Volleyball

Blow up a balloon and create a makeshift volleyball net using a jump rope or a string tied between two chairs. Get your preschooler to stand on one side and you on the other. Try to keep the balloon from hitting the ground by hitting it back and forth. This activity is a great way to work on hand-eye coordination.

4. Have a Bear Crawl

Challenge your preschooler to move like a bear! Get down on all fours and start crawling around the room or in the backyard. Bear crawling helps strengthen their arms, legs, and core muscles. Plus, it's a fun way to crawl instead of just walking on two legs!

5. Do Yoga Time

Introduce your preschooler to yoga and encourage them to stretch and hold different poses. You can find kid-friendly yoga videos online that will guide you through a fun and interactive yoga session. Yoga not only improves flexibility but also helps with balance and focus.

6. Play Simon Says

Simon says... touch your nose! Simon says... hop on one foot! Simon says... do a silly dance! Playing Simon Says is a fantastic way to get your little one moving and following instructions. Take turns being Simon and see who can come up with the silliest actions.

7. Catch Bubbles

Blow some bubbles in the air and challenge your preschooler to catch them before they pop. Not only is this activity entertaining, but it also helps develop hand-eye coordination. You can make it even more exciting by using different-sized bubble wands or blowing bubbles in different directions.

8. Have a Wheelbarrow Race

Find a wide open space and grab a friend or sibling to join in on the fun. Get your preschooler to hold their feet while you hold their legs, just like a wheelbarrow. On your count, race each other to the finish line. Just be careful and make sure not to let go!

9. Play Hopscotch Time

Draw a hopscotch grid outside using chalk or tape. Teach your preschooler how to play this classic game by hopping from square to square. Hopscotch is not only a fun way to practice hopping and balancing skills, but it also helps with counting and number recognition.

10. Do Animal Walks

Encourage your preschooler to move like different animals. They can try walking like a crab, hopping like a bunny, or stomping like an elephant. Animal walks are a great way to get their whole body moving and to explore different ways of moving around.

11. Have a Scooter Race

If your preschooler has a scooter, set up a racecourse in your driveway or backyard. Create start and finish lines and see who can scoot to the end the fastest. Make sure to emphasize safety and wearing helmets while riding scooters.

12. Play Musical Statues

Put on their favorite music and get your preschooler to dance around the room. When the music stops, they have to freeze like a statue. If they move, they're out! Keep playing until you have a winner. This game helps with listening skills and following directions.

13. Have a Ball Toss

Find a soft ball and stand a few feet apart from your preschooler. Toss the ball back and forth, practicing catching and throwing. You can start off close together and gradually increase the distance as they improve their throwing skills.

14. Do Limbo Time

Set up a limbo stick using a broom or a pool noodle. Play some fun music and challenge your preschooler to bend backward and limbo under the stick without touching it. As they get better, you can lower the stick to make it more challenging.

15. Have Some Hula Hoop Fun

Find a hula hoop and show your preschooler how to spin it around their waist. It might take some practice, but once they get the hang of it, they'll have a blast twirling the hula hoop and trying out different tricks. Hula hooping is not only fun but also great for coordination and balance.

16. Do a Scavenger Hunt

Create a scavenger hunt around your house or backyard. Make a list of items for your preschooler to find, such as a toy car, a red sock, or a feather. Give them the list and let them search high and low for the hidden treasures. This activity helps improve their observation and problem-solving skills.

17. Do Stair Steps

Find a sturdy set of stairs and encourage your preschooler to walk up and down while holding onto the handrail. Walking up and down stairs is an excellent way to build leg muscles and improve balance. Make sure to supervise them closely and provide support if needed.

18. Dance with Ribbons

Give your preschooler a ribbon wand or a piece of cloth tied to a stick. Put on some music and encourage them to dance and twirl the ribbons in the air. Dancing with ribbons adds an extra element of creativity and coordination to their dance moves.

19. Do a Target Toss

Create targets using buckets or hoops placed at different distances. Use soft balls or bean bags and challenge your preschooler to throw and hit the targets. They can earn points for every successful throw. This activity helps improve their throwing accuracy and hand-eye coordination.

20. Have a Pirate Treasure Hunt

Create a pirate-themed treasure hunt by hiding small objects or toys around your house or yard. Draw or print out a treasure map for your preschooler to follow and find the hidden treasure. They'll have a blast pretending to be pirates and using their problem-solving skills.

21. Set up an Obstacle Course

Use furniture, pillows, cones, or any household items to create an obstacle course in your living room or backyard. Get your preschooler to climb over, crawl under, and jump through the various obstacles. Obstacle courses are fantastic for building gross motor skills and challenging their physical abilities.

22. Do a Wheelbarrow Walk

Similar to the wheelbarrow race, you can get your preschooler to walk on their hands while you hold their legs. This activity strengthens their upper body and core muscles. You can make it more fun by pretending to be construction workers or circus performers.

23. Play Sack Races

Find some old pillowcases or potato sacks and have a sack race in your backyard. Line up with your preschooler and see who can hop to the finish line the fastest. Sack races are not only fun but also help improve their coordination and balance.

24. Set Up Water Play

On a hot day, set up a water play area in your backyard. Fill up buckets, water tables, or even plastic tubs with water and let your preschooler splash, pour, and play with different water toys. Water play is a great sensory activity and helps develop hand-eye coordination.

25. Go On an Outdoor Nature Walk

Take your preschooler on a nature walk around your neighborhood or a local park. Encourage them to observe and explore their surroundings. Look for different plants, insects, or animals. A nature walk is a wonderful way to connect with nature and get some fresh air!

Now that you have a list of 25 awesome motor activities for your preschooler, it's time to get active and have some fun together. Remember, these activities not only help with physical development but also provide opportunities for bonding and learning. Enjoy and let the adventures begin!