Gross Motor Activities at the Playground

A trip to the playground includes many great opportunities to work on coordination, balance, strength, and vestibular input!

Have your child practice climbing up all different types of ladders and the rock climbing wall if they have one. Encourage your child to focus on reciprocal movements of one leg with the opposite arm, then the other leg and other arm (the right arm and the left leg should advance together while the left arm and the right leg advance together). This activity is great for whole body strengthening, coordination, and motor planning.

The monkey bars are great for arm strengthening, vestibular input, and kinesthesia (knowing where your body is moving in space). Start with a “swing-to” pattern where your child places both hands on each rung. When your child masters this skill, challenge them to only place one hand on each rung by using a “swing-through” pattern. You can even challenge your child to work their core muscles by hanging on one bar and lifting their legs up toward their chest.

Slides and swings are great for getting vestibular input and helping develop the vestibular system. You can also encourage whole body strengthening by having your child climb up a slide. Teaching your child to pump their legs while swinging works on leg strengthening, coordination, and motor planning.

DISCLAIMER

The content in this blog should not be used in place of medical advice/treatment and is solely for informational purposes. All activities/exercises posted in this blog should be performed with adult supervision, caution, and at your own risk. Big Leaps, LLC is not responsible for any injury while performing an activity/exercise that has been posted on this blog. If you have any information on the content of our blog, feel free to contact us at info@bigleapsct.com.