38+ Best Gross Motor Skill Activities for Kids

As parents, we all want our children to grow up strong and healthy, and one of the key ways to achieve this is by encouraging the development of both fine and gross motor skills.

While fine motor skills are necessary for tasks like holding a pencil or buttoning a shirt, gross motor skills are equally important for overall physical and cognitive growth. 

These larger muscle groups are responsible for running, jumping, and throwing, all of which help children build coordination, balance, and strength. By focusing on gross motor skill development in early childhood, we can set our little ones up for success in all areas of life.

Gross Motor Skill Activities for Kids

Gross Motor Movement Game Activity

This activity is an engaging way for children to improve their gross motor skills. By mimicking the movements of different animals, kids will stay active and have a lot of fun.

Materials: Animal movement cards or simply use our printable, and scissors.

How to Do:

1. Print and cut out the animal movement cards from our printable.
2. Show each card to your child and explain the movement associated with each animal (e.g., “Leap like a frog,” “Gallop like a horse”).
3. Encourage your child to perform the movements as you show them each card.
4. You can turn it into a game by mixing up the cards and having your child pick one at random to act out.

Hopscotch Activity

Hopscotch is a classic outdoor game that helps children improve their balance, coordination, and motor skills. It’s simple to set up and provides hours of fun and physical exercise.

Materials: Chalk and small stones.

How to Do:

1. Use the chalk to draw a hopscotch grid on the ground, numbering the squares from one to nine.
2. They need to throw a small stone or marker onto the first square.
3. Hop through the grid on one foot, skipping the square with the stone.
4. Pick up the stone on the way back, still hopping on one foot. Repeat the process.

Ball Balancing Activity

This activity is a fun way for children to improve their balance and concentration. By balancing a ball on a spoon, kids can develop their motor skills and have a lot of fun in the process.

Materials: A small ball and a spoon.

How to Do:

1. Give your child a small ball and a spoon.
2. Show them how to place the ball on the spoon and balance it.
3. Encourage your child to walk while balancing the ball on the spoon.
4. You can turn it into a game by setting up a start and finish line and timing how long it takes them to walk the distance without dropping the ball.

Turtle Walk Activity

This activity is an imaginative way for children to engage in physical exercise. By pretending to walk like a turtle, kids can improve their balance, strength, and coordination.

Materials: Open space for movement.

How to Do:

1. Find a safe, open space where your child can move around freely.
2. Explain to your child that they will be walking like a turtle, moving slowly and steadily on all fours.
3. Show them how to get down on their hands and knees, keeping their back straight and head low.
4. Encourage your child to move forward slowly, just like a turtle, taking small steps with their hands and knees.

Gardening Activity

Gardening is a wonderful activity that teaches children about nature, responsibility, and patience. It also allows them to enjoy the outdoors and take pride in helping plants grow.

Materials: Watering can or spray bottle and garden area.

How to Do:

1. Choose a suitable area in your garden or a few pots for planting.
2. Show your child how to water the plants using a watering can or spray bottle.
3. If planting seeds or new plants, guide your child in digging small holes and placing the seeds or plants inside.
4. Encourage your child to water the plants regularly and observe their growth.

Gross Motor Dice Activity

This activity is an exciting way for children to improve their gross motor skills. By rolling a dice and performing the actions shown, kids stay active and have fun.

Materials: Gross motor dice with different actions, you can make by using our printable and open space for movement.

How to Do:

1. Create a gross motor dice by labeling each side with a different action (e.g., jump, crawl, hop, run, spin, stretch).
2. Find a safe, open space where your child can move around freely.
3. Have your child roll the dice and perform the action that lands face up.
4. Encourage them to complete the action for a set amount of time or repetitions before rolling the dice again.

Wave Skateboard Activity

Riding a wave skateboard is a thrilling activity that helps children improve their balance, coordination, and agility. It’s a great way for kids to enjoy the outdoors while mastering a new skill.

Materials: Wave skateboard and Smooth, flat surface for riding.

How to Do:

1. Find a smooth, flat surface like a driveway or a quiet street for riding.
2. Show your child how to place one foot on the front part of the wave skateboard and the other on the back.
3. Teach them to wiggle their hips and shift their weight to make the skateboard move forward.

Pool Play Game

Playing pool is a fantastic way for children to develop their hand-eye coordination and strategic thinking. It’s a fun and engaging game that can be enjoyed indoors, offering both a mental and physical challenge.

Materials: A pool table, pool cues, and pool balls.

How to Do:

1. Set up the pool table with the balls racked in the triangular formation.
2. Show your child how to hold the pool cue properly and aim at the cue ball.
3. Teach them to gently hit the cue ball to break the racked balls.
4. Explain the basic rules of the game, such as aiming for specific balls and pocketing them.

Hula Hoop Activity

Hula hooping is an energetic activity that helps children improve their coordination, balance, and core strength. It’s a great way to keep kids active and entertained.

Materials: Hula hoop and open space for movement.

How to Do:

1. Give your child a hula hoop and find an open space where they can move freely.
2. Show them how to hold the hula hoop around their waist.
3. Teach them to start spinning the hula hoop by moving their hips in a circular motion.
4. Encourage them to keep the hula hoop spinning around their waist for as long as possible.

Paper Plate Skates Activity

Paper Plate Skates is a creative activity that lets children experience the sensation of skating indoors. This simple activity helps improve balance and coordination while providing lots of laughs and enjoyment.

Materials: Two paper plates and open indoor space with a smooth floor.

How to Do:

1. Give your child two paper plates and find a smooth indoor surface for them to “skate” on.
2. Show them how to place one foot on each paper plate.
3. Encourage them to slide their feet along the floor as if they are skating.

Racetrack Play Activity

Racetrack play is an exciting activity that encourages children to use their imagination and develop fine motor skills. By creating a racetrack and racing toy cars, kids can enjoy endless fun and creativity.

Materials: Toy cars, cardboard or construction paper, markers or paint, scissors, and tape.

How to Do:

1. Create a racetrack using cardboard or construction paper. Draw and color lanes to make it look like a real track.
2. Cut out the racetrack pieces and tape them together to form a complete track.
3. Set up the racetrack on a flat surface, such as the floor or a table.
4. Give your child toy cars to race on the track.

Skipping Rope Activity

Skipping rope is a classic activity that provides a fun way for children to stay active and improve their coordination, balance, and cardiovascular health. It’s easy to learn and can be enjoyed alone or with friends.

Materials: Skipping rope and open space for skipping.

How to Do:

1. Give your child a skipping rope and find an open space where they can move freely.
2. Show them how to hold the rope handles, one in each hand.
3. Teach them to swing the rope over their head and jump as it passes under their feet.
4. Encourage them to keep a steady rhythm and practice jumping continuously.

Bunny Hop Activity

The Bunny Hop Activity is a fun way for children to get some exercise while pretending to be a bunny. This activity helps improve their balance, coordination, and leg strength through playful hopping.

Materials: A balloon or small ball, along with an open space for hopping.

How to Do:

1. Find an open space where your child can move around freely.
2. Give your child a balloon or small ball to hold between their knees.
3. Show them how to hop like a bunny, keeping the balloon or ball in place.
4. Encourage them to hop from one point to another, maintaining the balloon or ball between their knees.

Soccer Activity

Soccer is a fantastic activity for children to develop their motor skills, coordination, and teamwork. It’s an exciting game that keeps kids active and engaged while having fun outdoors.

Materials: Soccer ball and open space.

How to Do:

1. Find an open space where your child can kick the soccer ball around safely.
2. Give your child a soccer ball and explain the basic rules of soccer, such as dribbling, passing, and shooting.
3. Show them how to dribble the ball by tapping it lightly with their feet while moving forward.
4. Encourage them to practice passing the ball back and forth with a friend or family member.

Throwing a Ball Activity

This activity is a simple way for children to develop their motor skills and hand-eye coordination. It also provides a great opportunity for them to enjoy some physical exercise and have fun outdoors.

Materials: A softball and open outdoor space.

How to Do:

1. Find a safe, open outdoor space for the activity.
2. Give your child a softball to hold.
3. Show your child how to throw the ball using an overhand or underhand motion.
4. Encourage them to practice throwing the ball as far as they can.

Ball Catching Activity

This activity is a fun way for children to improve their hand-eye coordination and reaction time. It also provides a great opportunity for them to enjoy some physical exercise and practice their catching skills.

Materials: A softball and open outdoor space.

How to Do:

1. Find a safe, open outdoor space for the activity.
2. Give your child a soft ball to hold.
3. Show your child how to catch the ball by keeping their eyes on it and using both hands.
4. Toss the ball gently to your child and encourage them to catch it.

Balloon Toss Activity

This activity is an easy way for children to enjoy some physical exercise while developing their coordination and teamwork skills. The balloon’s lightweight nature makes it perfect for kids to play with safely.

Materials: A balloons and open outdoor space.

How to Do:

1. Find a safe, open outdoor space for the activity.
2. Inflate a balloon and tie it securely.
3. Show your child how to toss the balloon gently into the air.
4. Encourage your child to catch the balloon as it floats down.

Hide and Seek Game

This classic game is a wonderful way for children to develop their social skills and spatial awareness. It’s a timeless activity that encourages kids to be active and have fun with their friends or family.

Materials: Safe play area with hiding spots.

How to Do:

1. Choose a safe play area with plenty of places to hide, such as a backyard or a spacious indoor area.
2. Select one child to be “it” and have them count to a predetermined number while covering their eyes.
3. The other children hide while “it” is counting.
4. Once the counting is done, “it” tries to find the hidden children.
5. The first child found becomes “it” for the next round, and the game continues.

Gross Motor Bingo Activity

This activity is an engaging way for children to develop their gross motor skills. By combining physical exercises with the excitement of bingo, kids will stay active and entertained.

Materials: Gross Motor Bingo cards or you can simply use our printable for that, and scissors, along with open space for exercises.

How to Do:

1. Print and cut out the Gross Motor Bingo cards from our printable.
2. Give each child a bingo card and explain the different exercises depicted on the cards.
3. Have the children perform the exercises shown on their cards. They can mark off each exercise as they complete it.
4. The first child to complete a row of exercises on their bingo card and shout “Bingo!” wins the game.

Cycling Activity

Cycling is a fantastic activity for children to develop their physical fitness and coordination. It also provides a sense of independence and adventure while enjoying the outdoors.

Materials: Bicycle and safe riding area.

How to Do:

1. Ensure your child has a properly fitting bicycle.
2. Find a safe area for riding, such as a park or quiet street.
3. Show your child how to mount the bicycle and start pedaling.
4. Encourage them to ride around, practicing turning and stopping safely.

Car Washing Activity

This activity is a practical way for children to help out and enjoy some outdoor time. It teaches them the value of teamwork and responsibility while letting them cool off and have fun with water.

Materials: A bucket, sponge, and water.

How to Do:

1. Get all the materials
2. Show your child how to dip the sponge into the soapy water and then scrub the car’s surface.
3. Encourage them to rinse off the soap using the hose or by pouring clean water from the bucket.
4. Repeat the scrubbing and rinsing process until the car is clean.

Archery Activity

This activity is a great way for children to develop focus, precision, and hand-eye coordination. Archery is both a challenging and enjoyable sport that can be practiced safely with the right equipment and supervision.

Materials: A bow and arrows, along with a target, all set in an open, safe shooting space.

How to Do:

1. Set up a target in a safe, open area where there is plenty of space.
2. Give your child a child-safe bow and arrows.
3. Show your child how to hold the bow correctly and nock an arrow.
4. Teach them to aim at the target and draw the bowstring back.
5. Encourage them to release the arrow gently and see if it hits the target.

Pulling and Pushing Activity

Pulling and pushing activities are great for children to build their physical strength, coordination, and teamwork skills. These activities also provide a fun way to engage in active play, whether indoors or outdoors.

Materials: Wagon or similar wheeled toy and open space.

How to Do:

1. Find a safe, open space where your child can pull or push the wagon.
2. Place the wagon on a flat surface and make sure it’s easy for your child to handle.
3. Encourage your child to pull the wagon with a friend or a stuffed animal inside.
4. Let them take turns pushing and pulling the wagon, ensuring they are using proper posture to avoid strain.

Swimming Activity

Swimming is an excellent activity for children to stay active, improve their cardiovascular health, and develop water safety skills. It’s a fun way to enjoy the water and build confidence while swimming.

Materials: A swimsuit and goggles, along with access to a pool or a safe swimming area.

How to Do:

1. Ensure your child is wearing a proper swimsuit and goggles for comfort and protection.
2. Choose a safe swimming area, such as a pool with lifeguards or a designated swimming zone.
3. Start with basic swimming techniques, like floating, kicking, and arm movements.
4. Encourage your child to practice swimming from one side of the pool to the other.

Throwing and Catching Activity

Throwing and catching is a simple yet effective activity for children to improve their hand-eye coordination and motor skills. It’s a fun way to engage in physical exercise and can be enjoyed both indoors and outdoors.

Materials: Soft ball and open space.

How to Do:

1. Find a safe, open space where your child can throw and catch the ball without any obstacles.
2. Give your child a soft ball that is easy to catch.
3. Stand a short distance away and gently throw the ball to your child.
4. Encourage your child to catch the ball with both hands and then throw it back to you.

Swinging Activity

Swinging is an relaxing activity that helps children improve their balance and coordination. It’s a timeless way to enjoy the outdoors and experience the sensation of flying through the air.

Materials: Swing set and open space in a playground or backyard.

How to Do:

1. Find a safe and sturdy swing set in a playground or your backyard.
2. Ensure the swing and its surroundings are safe for use.
3. Help your child sit on the swing and hold onto the chains or ropes securely.
4. Give them a gentle push to start swinging.

Musical Chairs Activity

Musical Chairs is a classic party game that encourages children to improve their listening skills, quick reflexes, and ability to follow directions. It’s a fun and lively activity that can be enjoyed by a group of kids.

Materials: Chairs (one less than the number of children participating) and music player.

How to Do:

1. Arrange the chairs in a circle, facing outward.
2. Play music and have the children walk around the chairs.
3. When the music stops, each child must quickly find a chair to sit on.
4. The child left without a chair is out of the game.
5. Remove one chair and start the music again, repeating the process until only one child is left sitting.

Bowling Activity

Bowling is an engaging activity that helps children improve their hand-eye coordination, balance, and concentration. It’s an enjoyable way to spend time with family and friends while developing important physical skills.

Materials: Bowling alley or home bowling set along with bowling balls and pins.

How to Do:

1. If you’re at a bowling alley, select a lightweight bowling ball suitable for children.
2. Show your child how to hold the ball properly and aim for the pins.
3. Encourage them to swing the ball back and then roll it down the lane towards the pins.
4. Cheer them on as they knock down the pins and help them keep track of their score.
5. If using a home bowling set, set up the pins in a designated area and follow the same steps.

Bubble Play Activity

Bubble play is an engaging activity that captures children’s imagination and helps improve their motor skills. It’s a fantastic way to enjoy the outdoors while having fun chasing and popping bubbles.

Materials: Bubble solution, bubble wands, or bubble machines, along with an open outdoor space.

How to Do:

1. Prepare the bubble solution or use a pre-made one.
2. Give your child a bubble wand or set up a bubble machine in an open outdoor space.
3. Show them how to dip the wand into the solution and blow or wave it to create bubbles.
4. Encourage them to chase and pop the bubbles, running around and having fun.

Dancing Activity

Dancing is an expressive activity that helps children improve their coordination, rhythm, and overall physical fitness. It’s a fun way to stay active, develop creativity, and enjoy music.

Materials: Music player and open space for dancing.

How to Do:

1. Find a safe, open space where your child can move around freely.
2. Play some upbeat and fun music that your child enjoys.
3. Encourage your child to dance to the rhythm of the music, using their whole body to express themselves.
4. Teach them some basic dance moves or let them create their own.

Mastering the Monkey Bars Activity

Mastering the monkey bars is a fantastic activity for children to build their upper body strength, coordination, and confidence. It’s a fun challenge that encourages kids to push their limits and develop important physical skills.

Materials: Monkey bars (found in playgrounds) and open space for safety.

How to Do:

1. Find a playground with sturdy monkey bars and ensure the area underneath is safe and cushioned.
2. Show your child how to grip the bars with both hands.
3. Encourage them to swing from one bar to the next, using their arms to support their weight.
4. Start with short distances and gradually increase as they become more confident and strong.

Jumping Activity

Jumping is a high-energy activity that helps children improve their leg strength, coordination, and overall fitness. It’s a fun and exhilarating way for kids to burn off energy and enjoy some physical exercise.

Materials: Open space (indoor or outdoor).

How to Do:

1. Find a safe, open space where your child can jump around freely.
2. Encourage your child to start with basic jumps, both feet leaving the ground at the same time.
3. Introduce different jumping variations, such as jumping jacks, hopping on one foot, or jumping over small obstacles.
4. Turn it into a game by setting challenges, like how many jumps they can do in a minute or how high they can jump.

Pull the Ring Activity

Pull the Ring Activity is a fun and energetic game that encourages teamwork, coordination, and physical activity. It’s perfect for group play and helps children develop their motor skills in an enjoyable way.

Materials Used: Hula hoops or rings, small balls or bean bags, open outdoor space

How to Do:

1. Place hula hoops or rings at one end of the play area.
2. Fill each hoop with small balls or bean bags.
3. Divide the children into teams and line them up at the opposite end of the play area.
4. When you signal to start, the first child in each team runs to the hoop, picks up a ball or bean bag, and runs back to their team.
5. They then pass the ring or ball to the next teammate, who repeats the process.
6. The game continues until all balls or bean bags have been moved from the hoops back to the starting line. You can watch our reel for better understanding.

Ball Collecting Activity

Ball Collecting Activity is a simple yet effective game that helps young children develop their motor skills, coordination, and concentration. It’s a fun way to keep toddlers engaged and active.

Materials Used: Small balls, containers or bins, open space (indoor or outdoor)

How to Do:

1. Scatter small balls around an open play area.
2. Place containers or bins at one end of the play area.
3. Show your child how to pick up a ball and carry it to the container.
4. Encourage your child to walk or run to the container and place the ball inside.
5. Repeat the process until all balls are collected in the containers.
6. You can watch our reel to perform this activity better.

Balance A Stick Game

The Balance A Stick Game is a fun and challenging activity that helps children improve their balance, coordination, and teamwork skills. It’s an engaging way for kids to practice their focus and stability while playing together.

Materials Used: A stick or pole (lightweight and safe for children), open space (outdoor or indoor)

How to Do:

1. Find a safe, open space where the children can move around freely.
2. Pair up the children and give each pair a stick or pole.
3. Instruct the pairs to hold the stick with their feet, ensuring it is balanced between them.
4. The objective is for the pairs to walk together without letting the stick fall.
5. Encourage the children to communicate and cooperate to maintain their balance.
6. To know better, watch our reel.

Pick a Ball Game

The Pick a Ball Game is a fun and interactive activity that helps children develop their coordination, agility, and problem-solving skills. It’s a simple yet engaging game that can be played indoors or outdoors.

Materials Used: Small balls of different colors, plates or shallow containers, open space (indoor or outdoor)

How to Do:

1. Place plates or shallow containers in a circle or random pattern on the ground.
2. Put a small ball of different colors on each plate.
3. Have the children sit in the middle of the setup.
4. Instruct the children to use their feet to pick up the balls from the plates and place them in a designated container.
5. Encourage them to move quickly and accurately, using only their feet.
6. You can watch our reel, which my kid performed.

Spray the cup

Spray the Cup is a lively and entertaining activity that helps children improve their aim, coordination, and concentration. It’s a fun outdoor game that involves a bit of friendly competition and lots of laughter.

Materials Used: Plastic cups, spray bottles filled with water, open outdoor space

How to Do:

1. Set up plastic cups on a table or on the ground, spaced apart.
2. Fill spray bottles with water and give one to each child.
3. Have the children stand a few feet away from the cups.
4. Instruct them to use the spray bottles to knock over the cups by spraying water at them.
5. Encourage them to aim carefully and use short, controlled bursts of water.
6. Watch our reel for better guidance.

Balancing activity

The Balancing Activity is a fun and engaging game that helps children develop their balance, coordination, and teamwork skills. It’s a simple yet effective way to improve physical fitness while having fun with friends.

Materials Used: A small ball or balloon, two sticks or rods, open space (indoor or outdoor)

How to Do:

1. Find an open space where the children can move around freely.
2. Pair up the children and give each pair two sticks or rods and a small ball or balloon.
3. Instruct the pairs to hold the sticks parallel to each other, with the ball or balloon balanced in between.
4. The objective is for the pairs to walk together while keeping the ball or balloon balanced on the sticks without dropping it.
5. Encourage the children to communicate and coordinate their movements to maintain balance.
6. My kid has performed this activity, watch for better understanding.

conclusion

Developing gross motor skills in early childhood is essential to a child’s physical and cognitive development. Gross motor skills involve large muscle groups necessary for daily activities and sports.

The result of gross motor skills can be encouraged through play and other activities, such as those listed above. By incorporating these activities into your child’s daily routine, you can help to set them up for future success in both their physical and cognitive development.