Gross motor activities play a vital role in the physical development of our children. It involves the activities like walking, running, kicking, throwing, lifting, etc. 

What are gross motor skills??

Activities that involve large muscles in the arms, legs, and torso are called gross motor activities. Gross motor activities help with body awareness, reaction speed, balance, and strength.

The following listed activities might help you also with some calories to burn by joining them and are good for kids' physical strength and development.


1. Climb up & down the stairs

Let them use the stairs under supervision. It will help in strengthening their leg muscles, balance, and coordination which is good for overall health and gross motor development. It also helps in spatial awareness.


2. Garden or nature walk

Let your child run, walk and explore in the garden during nature walks. It helps them satisfy their curiosity and feel calm & relaxed in an open-air environment. It empowers Social interaction in them.

They would feel the fresh air and feel excited..having some sunshine which is good for the body to absorb vitamin D.



3. Hide and seek

Hide and let your child find you...take turns and have fun..it involves whole body movement so good for motor development and bonding time with friends/ family. This kind of play empowers quick thinking, creativity, reaction speed, and spatial awareness in children.

4. Treasure hunt

Hide any toys or household objects (if playing in the house) and let them search those objects... give them a hint about this by the object's characteristics or by telling the use of the object or regarding the place where you used to keep certain things.

It helps them with overall body muscle strengthening and also enhances logical thinking and helps with cognitive development.

It will satisfy their urge to solve problems and be confident. 

5. Household chores/ help

Let them help you with any of the household chores they want, it may take longer than usual time to complete the task but good for their self-esteem, confidence, and self-worth.


The chores may be cleaning by mop/broom or arranging the kitchen utensils in place or putting the things in the designated place (especially their toys - tidy up the mess)

This way they learn to arrange & clean their mess. Additionally, they feel independent and you have some time to relax/chill.

6. Dance

Best therapy to relax your mind with joy and have some calories to burn also. Dance helps build coordination and spatial awareness, self-confidence, and social skills in children. It also improves posture, circulation, and balance. It promotes flexibility and develops muscles and gross motor development which leads to overall fitness.


7. Workout/yoga/exercise

Let them encourage some simple yoga poses or workouts, but ensure they do it in the correct way. so be always there when they do yoga. There is no need to list the benefits of yoga as we all know how useful it is for our overall fitness and flexibility.


8. Unstructured play/roaming around 

Let them give some uninterrupted quiet time where they are free to do anything they want...no instructions, no guidance. Let them roam around the house or do some painting or pretend play...or bounce anything it may be. It would give them a sense of relaxing/calming and sense of freedom..help them to nurture in the best way possible. It enables them with decision-making skills and breaks from routine...

It also involves their motor skills development by doing anything.


Hope you enjoy these tips. Feel free to share with us the kind of gross motor activities which you do with your child. 

Happy parenting!!!