10 Gross Motor Activities for Preschoolers That’ll Have Your Little Tornadoes Burning Off Energy (And You Laughing Along)
Okay, moms, dads, and the rest of our messy crew—how wild does it get trying to keep little ones moving? Tired kids are the best kind, right? They are constantly practicing their motor skills.
There’s something magical (and a bit chaotic!) about watching preschoolers build gross motor skills and various movements , muscles, boost confidence, and learn about their world, all while zooming around the living room or backyard.
Gross motor activities help our kids grow strong and provide a challenge , develop gross motor skills support their development work off energy, and have a blast—all at the same time.
Whether we’re stuck inside on a rainy day or letting them loose outdoors, there are so many fun ways to help our littles move and develop their skills . No fancy equipment needed—just some space, a little imagination, and maybe a cup of coffee for us!
1) Obstacle Course Challenge – Climb, crawl, and jump your way through a DIY obstacle fun fest!
Who else remembers making wild obstacle courses with couch cushions, laundry baskets, and every pillow we could find? Obstacle courses get our little ones moving and giggling, especially when they jump. , providing a challenge that enhances their skills. (and honestly, burn off some of that wild preschooler energy).
Let’s toss in things to jump over, crawl under, and weave around. Need some ideas for imaginative play ? Check out these super easy DIY obstacle course tips.
2) Animal Walks – Hop like a frog, waddle like a duck, or slither like a snake to get those muscles moving.
Pretending to be goofy animals gets our kiddos so active and helps their body coordination. with various movements . We can hop like frogs, waddle like ducks, or get down and slither like sneaky little snakes.
It’s wild, silly, and exactly what our preschoolers need. Let’s mix it up with crab walks, tall giraffe steps, and some fun game styles. , and stomping like elephants too.
There are so many fun outdoor gross motor activities, like animal walks, for preschoolers to try.
3) Parachute Play – Grab a colorful parachute and shake, lift, and run under it with your crew.
If you’ve never tried parachute play or motor activities, trust us, you’re missing out! , trust us, you’re missing out! We get to unleash our inner kids while the little ones laugh and dart around like wild things.
The bright parachute looks awesome zooming up, down, and all around. This activity is so good for getting bodies moving and encourage teamwork. —lifting, shaking, even a little running, all of which supports a child’s development .
It helps with taking turns and working as a team. Want some cool ideas that specifically target fun activitie ? Check out these wild parachute games for more inspo!
4) Balance Beam Walk – Use a tape line or a plank and turn it into a balance adventure.
Let’s grab some tape (or a sturdy plank if we’re feeling fancy) and create our own balance beam right in the living room to help develop fine motor skills . We can make it straight, zig-zaggy, or even a giant circle—whatever fits our mood.
Dare each other to walk forward, tiptoe, or try some gross motor games. , or even go backward without “falling off” the beam. It’s kind of amazing how something as simple as a tape line brings out everyone’s inner gymnast.
5) Floor Is Lava – Classic! Jump from pillow to pillow without touching the ‘lava’ floor below.
Who’s ready for a little chaos in the living room? We just need a bunch of pillows and maybe a couch cushion or two, and suddenly—boom!—the floor turns into hot, bubbling lava, or we can use sidewalk chalk to create paths .
We have to hop from one “island” to another and, trust me, balance skills are about to get real and improve hand eye coordination . No stepping on the “lava” unless we want dramatic slow-motion falls.
Switch it up by yelling out colors or shapes for where we have to land next. Need more ideas for activities with paper plates ? We love these tips from The OT Toolbox.
6) Scavenger Hunt Sprint – Race around finding hidden items and get your heart pumping.
We all love a good scavenger hunt, right? Let’s add a twist by mixing in some speedy sprints on the ground !
We can hide toys or silly objects around the backyard or living room, then let the kiddos dash around to find them as fast as they can. Not only does this get everyone moving like a bear, but it also sparks those little detective skills. and promote physical activity , but it also sparks those little detective skills.
If you want a fun digital version, check out Scavenger Quest for inspiration! Ready, set, run! Let’s dive into some gross motor play
7) Ball Games – Kick, throw, or roll balls outdoors to build strength and coordination.
Let’s grab those balls and get moving! Kicking, rolling, or tossing balls outside gives our kiddos the perfect chance to run wild and burn off some energy.
We can turn a simple game into serious fun—think beach ball soccer or rolling the ball to knock over makeshift pins. It’s like bowling, but in the backyard!
Ball games help our little ones build balance, strength, and essential skills for social interaction. If you need more ideas, check out these fun ball games for preschoolers.
8) Hula Hoop Fun – Spin that hoop and giggle while working on balance and rhythm.
Let’s be real—nothing says throwback fun like spinning a hula hoop around our waists! We love watching the kids wiggle, laugh, and try to keep that hoop from sliding to the floor.
Hula hoop play is such a sneaky way for us to build balance, coordination, and even a little rhythm. Mixing it up with games like toss and catch or silly hoop dances keeps everyone moving and smiling.
Want more ideas? Check out these hula hoop games for kids if you need fresh inspo!
9) Jump Rope Jam – Rope skipping for preschoolers to bounce and boost endurance.
Let’s grab those jump ropes and get moving! We love a good Jump Rope Jam—it’s classic, silly, and such a blast for our wild preschooler crew.
Even just a few hops help build those little leg muscles and get their hearts pumping. No need for fancy tricks or perfect timing; we’re just focusing on having fun and getting active.
If you need more ideas for indoor gross motor activities , check out some fun jump rope games for kids.
10) Water Play Digging – Scoop, pour, and splash with watering cans and shovels for messy muscle fun.
Let’s get those little arms moving with some water play digging! We grab shovels, watering cans, and buckets, then let the kiddos scoop, pour, and splash to their hearts’ content.
It’s like a mini spa day… but for mud pies and wild imaginations. We just set up a water bin or use the backyard, and suddenly everyone is a construction site superstar.
Want more ideas? Check out these creative water play activities for even more messy muscle fun!
Why Gross Motor Activities Totally Matter
Getting our preschoolers movin’ and groovin’ isn’t just for fun (though, hello, that’s a bonus!), but also promotes active play . These big movements help their bodies grow stronger and their confidence shine.
Plus, we get to join in and laugh along the way.
Building Strong Little Bodies
Remember when we were little and just running around made us feel like superheroes? All the hopping, crawling, and climbing is a workout—preschool style!
Gross motor activities develop large muscle groups like the legs, arms, and core. With every epic leap across the living room or wild game of tag, our kiddos contribute to their gross motor skill development while building coordination, balance, and strength.
This helps them with stuff like sitting up straight, improving posture, and getting ready for school activities. Activities like obstacle courses or hopping games help improve their body awareness and support gross motor skill development. and turn them into little fitness machines, and they don’t even realize it.
If you’re curious about easy ideas, we love how an obstacle course can fire up those muscles. We get to cheer them on while they master “big kid” moves, and honestly, their joy is contagious.
Boosting Confidence and Social Skills
Let’s be real: nothing boosts self-esteem like nailing a new skill and provide opportunities for further growth .
When our kids finally balance on one foot without face-planting, you’d think they’ve snagged an Olympic medal.
All those high-fives mean the world.
These activities aren’t just about muscles—they’re a secret recipe for making friends.
Team games and group activities teach sharing, turn-taking, and communication.
We see our shy kiddos open up and laugh together during wild relay races.
It’s wild how quickly they go from “no, you go first!” to “let’s do it together!” before we know it.
Plus, the giggles? Seriously the best background noise ever.
For more ideas on fun group games, check out some indoor gross motor activities perfect for any playdate.
Easy Tips for Making Activities Fun (and Not Stressful!)
We know life with preschoolers is anything but quiet or tidy, especially during playtime.
The magic happens when we let go of the pressure for perfection and just roll with the chaos.
We try to tune into our child’s curiosity and creativity.
Mess Happens—Here’s How to Roll With It
Seriously, has anyone done a craft or movement game with preschoolers and stayed spotless?
Not us! Embracing the mess is our ultimate boss move.
We keep wipes and old towels nearby, toss aprons or oversized tees on our kids, and just let them dive in.
Here’s what helps us:
Pick easy-to-clean spaces. The backyard or kitchen floor (hello, moppable!) are our go-tos.
Set up simple transition stations. A basket by the door for muddy shoes saves our sanity.
Let them help clean up. Turning cleanup into a game (“Who can pick up ten beanbags the fastest?”) works way better than nagging.
Honestly, a little mess means everybody’s having fun—and that’s what matters most.
No one remembers perfect floors, but everyone remembers belly laughs.
Turning Ordinary Days Into Movement Adventures
We don’t need fancy gear or Pinterest-worthy setups to get our kids moving. Everyday stuff works, honestly! Just make sure you have enough space to move around.
We grab couch cushions for a “lava” obstacle course. Sometimes we line up stuffed animals for a parade, or just use painter’s tape to make a hopscotch path on the floor.
Some of our favorite ideas:
Dance breaks while folding laundry (yes, we moonwalk with socks)
“Statue tag” in the living room—move, freeze, giggle, repeat
Hopping contests using empty laundry baskets as finish lines
We sneak movement into daily routines, like frog jumps to the bathroom. Twirling races make cleaning up toys a lot more fun, too.
Our kids burn off energy, and we get to keep things playful and low-pressure. If you need inspiration for active play, consider adding a scavenger hunt to your activities. , check out these fun gross motor activities for preschoolers for even more ideas.
