Kids love to move, and for good reason! Movement is crucial for your child's growth. It builds strength, boosts coordination, and teaches life skills. By encouraging them to get moving, you’re doing more than just providing fun - you’re helping them grow and thrive.
When children run, jump, hop, or balance, they’re not just getting stronger—they’re building gross motor skills essential for coordination and control. These skills are key for everyday tasks like climbing stairs or carrying a backpack. Movement also boosts muscle strength, endurance, posture, and energy, laying the foundation for healthy physical habits.
Active play supports more than just the basic senses. It helps develop vestibular and proprioceptive senses—balance and body awareness. Rolling, swinging, or jumping improves spatial awareness and control, boosting confidence in their movements.
But the benefits extend to the brain too. Active play encourages problem-solving, strategic thinking, and quick decision-making, improving cognitive development and supporting learning both at school and home.
Socially and emotionally, active play teaches kids to cooperate, take turns, and work together. It helps them navigate success, setbacks, and express their emotions in a fun, supportive way.
So, how can you make the most of active play?
There are so many fun and simple activities you can do with your child to get them moving and learning:
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Set up a simple balance challenge where they walk along a line or try balancing on one foot. It's a great way to start building coordination.
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Get creative with a run away from the monster game where your child has to dash to safety while you chase them. It’s a fun way to get their heart rate up!
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Try a running race—whether it's across the living room or in the yard, it’s a simple way to improve their stamina and speed.
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Have them do wheelbarrow walks, where they walk on their hands while you hold their legs. This activity helps build upper body strength and coordination.
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Let them try the crab walk, which strengthens the arms and legs and helps with balance.
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Play the floor is lava, where your child has to jump and hop from place to place without touching the “lava.” This helps with agility and quick thinking.
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Create an obstacle course using pillows, chairs, or toys. Your child will practice jumping, crawling, and running, all while improving their strength and coordination.
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Play a few rounds of Simon says or freeze dance to build listening skills and help your child improve their body control.
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Have fun with follow the leader—take turns leading and following each other’s movements. This builds coordination and social connection.
The best part? You don’t need fancy equipment or a lot of space to make movement fun. Whether it’s jumping in place or running a race, movement activities offer endless opportunities for growth, learning, and connection with your child. So next time they ask to run around or play a game, remember—they’re not just having fun, they’re building skills that will last a lifetime.
