top of page

Activities

Now for gross motor activities, I would make a routine of exercise every day with your little one. The key to the gross motor is to exaggerate all of the movements. Think of yourself on a stage; the people in the very back need to see you as clearly as those in the front.

    • Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes

    • Simon Says

    • The Wheels on the Bus

    • If You’re Happy and You Know It

    • The Hokey Pokey

    • Red Light, Green Light

    • Freeze Dance: Play music and dance. When the music stops, everyone freezes!

    • Animal Walks Around the House

    • Waddle like a penguin

    • Roar like a lion

    • Swim like a fish

    • Hop like a bunny

    • Stomp like an elephant and swing your trunk (arms)

    • Creative Play Ideas

    • Build a Fort using pillows, blankets, or boxes.

    • Create an Obstacle Course around your home. Show your child how to do it first—they’ll love following your lead!

    • These playful activities not only help you bond with your child, but also get their energy out, making nap time smoother.

    • Wind-Down Routine

    • Deep Breathing: Take a few slow, calming breaths together.

    • Story Time: Reading a book before nap signals it’s time to relax and settle down.

    • Coloring

    • Finger Painting

    • Playdough

    • Building Blocks

    • Sorting Games: Sort by shape, color, or any objects you have on hand.

    Music & Instruments:

    • Turn a Tupperware container into a drum

    • Make a shaker using a water bottle filled with beans or rice

    • Gardening: Kids love getting their hands in the dirt—planting and digging are great fine motor activities.

    • Kinetic Sand: Mess-free and great for molding—available at most stores like Target.

    • Watercolor Painting

    • Stacking and Matching: Stack blocks or objects; match images or items—especially engaging for older toddlers.

    Helping with Household Tasks:

    • Folding small items like washcloths

    • Rolling up socks

    Puzzles: A fun way to improve hand-eye coordination and problem-solving.

    • Shaving Cream Play

    • Walking on Bubble Wrap

    Texture Exploration:

    • Let them feel and describe different textures (e.g., “The table is smooth,” “The rock is rough”).

    • Encourage them to repeat what they feel.

    Cleaning Helpers:

    • Kids love helping! Let them wipe surfaces, sweep, or dust.

    Cooking Fun:

    • Give them a small bowl with safe ingredients like oats, flour, or water to mix.

    DIY Gak:

    • Mix cornstarch and water in a bowl or bucket for a fun, squishy texture.

    • Baby-Safe Sensory Play Ideas

    Nature Play:

    • On walks or in the yard, gather leaves and let them jump in or toss them.

    • Describe what you see and feel: “This leaf is green,” “That one is dry.”

    Plant Exploration:

    • Point out different plants and whether they are edible.

    Bubble Play:

    • Popping bubbles is great sensory fun. They can feel the wetness and watch them float and pop.

    Pasta Play:

    • Use cooked or dry pasta for sorting.

    • Add food coloring for a fun twist—see which colors they enjoy sorting (or even tasting!).

    Paper Crumpling Game:

    • Let them crumple up scrap paper and toss it into a bucket or trash can.

    • A reusable and fun activity that builds coordination.

bottom of page