Gross Motor Skills

Master these essential components of Gross Motor Skills

Walking

The ability to move forward by placing one foot in front of the other.

Activities:

  • 1Obstacle Courses: Set up a course with cones, pillows, or toys to walk around.
  • 2Nature Walks: Walk on different terrains like grass, sand, or gravel.
  • 3Follow the Leader: Play a game where one person leads and others follow their movements.
  • 4Balance Beam: Walk along a straight line or a low balance beam.
  • 5Marching: Practice marching in place or while moving forward.

Running

The ability to move quickly on foot with both feet off the ground at the same time.

Activities:

  • 1Races: Organize short sprints or relay races.
  • 2Tag Games: Play games like tag or freeze tag.
  • 3Chasing Bubbles: Run to pop or catch bubbles.
  • 4Animal Runs: Pretend to run like different animals (e.g., galloping like a horse).
  • 5Parachute Games: Run while holding a parachute or play running games with it.

Jumping

The ability to propel oneself off the ground using both feet.

Activities:

  • 1Jump Rope: Practice jumping rope individually or with a group.
  • 2Hopscotch: Play hopscotch to practice jumping and landing.
  • 3Jumping Jacks: Do jumping jacks to improve coordination.
  • 4Trampoline: Jump on a trampoline to build leg strength.
  • 5Jump Over Objects: Jump over small obstacles like cones or sticks.

Hopping

The ability to jump on one foot and land on the same foot.

Activities:

  • 1Hopscotch: Play hopscotch to practice hopping.
  • 2One-Legged Races: Have races where participants hop on one foot.
  • 3Hopping Games: Play games that involve hopping, like 'Simon Says.'
  • 4Balance Exercises: Hop on one foot while maintaining balance.
  • 5Obstacle Courses: Include hopping stations in an obstacle course.

Skipping

A rhythmic movement combining a step and a hop on alternating feet.

Activities:

  • 1Skipping Races: Have races where participants skip to the finish line.
  • 2Follow the Leader: Play a game where the leader skips and others follow.
  • 3Skipping Songs: Sing songs or rhymes that involve skipping.
  • 4Skipping Drills: Practice skipping in place or across a room.
  • 5Obstacle Courses: Include skipping as part of an obstacle course.

Balancing

The ability to maintain control of the body's position, either stationary or while moving.

Activities:

  • 1Balance Beam: Walk along a low balance beam or a straight line.
  • 2One-Legged Stands: Stand on one foot for increasing amounts of time.
  • 3Yoga Poses: Practice yoga poses like tree pose or warrior pose.
  • 4Stability Exercises: Use a balance board or wobble cushion.
  • 5Obstacle Courses: Include balancing stations in an obstacle course.

Climbing

The ability to use hands and feet to move up, down, or across surfaces.

Activities:

  • 1Climbing Frames: Use playground climbing frames or jungle gyms.
  • 2Rock Walls: Climb indoor or outdoor rock walls.
  • 3Obstacle Courses: Include climbing over cushions or small walls.
  • 4Tree Climbing: Climb trees with proper supervision.
  • 5Ladder Climbing: Practice climbing ladders safely.

Throwing

The ability to propel an object through the air using the hands and arms.

Activities:

  • 1Ball Games: Play catch with a partner using different-sized balls.
  • 2Target Practice: Throw balls or beanbags at a target.
  • 3Frisbee: Play frisbee to practice throwing and catching.
  • 4Water Balloons: Throw water balloons at targets or partners.
  • 5Bowling: Roll or throw a ball to knock down pins.

Catching

The ability to use hands and arms to grab and hold onto objects.

Activities:

  • 1Ball Games: Play catch with a partner using different-sized balls.
  • 2Beanbag Toss: Toss and catch beanbags.
  • 3Frisbee: Play frisbee to practice catching.
  • 4Scarf Toss: Toss and catch lightweight scarves.
  • 5Catching Drills: Practice catching balls thrown from different distances.

Kicking

The ability to strike an object with the foot.

Activities:

  • 1Soccer: Play soccer to practice kicking a ball.
  • 2Kicking Drills: Practice kicking a stationary or moving ball.
  • 3Target Practice: Kick balls at a target or into a goal.
  • 4Kickball: Play kickball with a group.
  • 5Balloon Kicks: Kick balloons to keep them in the air.

Galloping

A forward movement where one foot leads and the other follows.

Activities:

  • 1Galloping Games: Play games that involve galloping, like 'Red Light, Green Light.'
  • 2Follow the Leader: Gallop in a line following a leader.
  • 3Galloping Drills: Practice galloping in place or across a room.
  • 4Animal Moves: Pretend to gallop like a horse or other animals.
  • 5Obstacle Courses: Include galloping as part of an obstacle course.

Skipping

A rhythmic movement combining a step and a hop on alternating feet.

Activities:

  • 1Skipping Races: Have races where participants skip to the finish line.
  • 2Follow the Leader: Play a game where the leader skips and others follow.
  • 3Skipping Songs: Sing songs or rhymes that involve skipping.
  • 4Skipping Drills: Practice skipping in place or across a room.
  • 5Obstacle Courses: Include skipping as part of an obstacle course.