ABCs of Gross Motor Day 2: F-J

Welcome to Day 2 of the ABCs of Gross Motor. The first day was great fun and I’m looking forward to today as well!

F is for Fun

Why does gross motor have to be hard? It should be fun at any age. Activities my girls don’t care for can be changed into ones they do. One thing we do is walk like dinosaurs. The girls enjoy acting out each part of the different dinosaurs. One of my girls does not care for repeating activities over and over but needs them. By doing the different dinosaurs we make those activities fun. At the end of it all if they are smiling and want to do it again then you have done something right.

Here are some great F Blog Posts:
ABC Gross Motor: Letter F
Reading Confetti – The Foot Book: Movement Activity
Learn With Play At Home – 5 FUN GAMES to get kids UP and MOVING to their favourite Music!

G is for Games

A lot of gross motor can be turned into games, even something as simple as walking. Keep them simple: ring toss, pom pom throwing, bowling, and so on. Games also don’t have to be competitive. Make sure to cheer each child on and state that they are doing well at all different levels of capability.

Here are some great G Blog Posts:
Pompom Games!
Mama Smiles – Preschool Game Day!
Go Kid Yourself – Giant Squishy Sensory Bag
Teach Preschool – Game: Red Light Green Light
Code Name Mama – 23 Gross Motor games

H is for Hiking

Hiking is a great activity for kids! I have brought my girls to many places and had people state that I should not be taking them on the trip. To prepare for tougher hikes I took my girls walking every day for 3 months. We walked around the hills close to home but I made sure that every trip we took out we did just a little bit more. Every day they were able to walk farther and farther and it was fun for them. Plus we got to talk about everything we saw. When we finally did the big hike it was no big deal. They did great!

Here are some great H Blog Posts:
Word Play: Hopping Word Families
Creative Family Fun – Hiking with Young Children
Creative Learning Fun – Hula Hoop Fun – Gross Motor Development
Go Kid Yourself – Hammer Happy Heavy Work
Growing a Jeweled Rose – Homemade Get Up and Move Dice

I is for Indoor

I hear a lot “I don’t know what to do with my kids during the winter. They just want to run around.” Nothing says that you can’t do great gross motor inside. I do a lot in a small space with my girls. Think of something you do outside and adjust it for inside. If your kids like soccer then have them do balloon soccer inside. I’ve seen people do balloon tennis as well. Just take the time to see what you can do in the available area. It does not have to be complicated.

No Time for Flashcards – Indoor Gross Motor Activities
Creative With kids – Indoor Preschool Activities- Let’s Bounce!

J is for Jumping

Kids always love to jump when given the chance. Jumping uses many different muscles and is a great workout. You can change directions, change which feet you use, or jump over obstacles such as tape lines or paper plates. Counting your jumps adds an extra level of challenge. It is also fun to see what ideas the kids can come up with!

Here are some great J Blog Posts:
NurtureStore – Jump to it! Leap Year activities

Also check out
ABCs of Gross Motor Day 1: A to E
ABCs of Gross Motor Day 3: K-O!
ABCs of Gross Motor Day 4: P-T
ABCs of Gross Motor Day 4: U-Z!

ARTS and CRAFTS

• Art History for Kids from B-Inspired Mama
• Cardboard Box Creations from Here Come The Girls
• Children’s Music With Art from Rainbows within Reach
• Crafts and Art from Red Ted Art
• Crafting on a budget from Housing a Forest
• Creativity from Little Artists
• Paper Plates from Domestic Goddessque
• Toddler Crafts from Rainy Day Mum
• Upcycled and Recycled Crafts from Craft to Art
• Valentine Crafts and Recipes from Local Fun For Kids

Cassie – 3Dinosaurs.com

Disclaimer: This is not intended to be the end all of gross motor but just ideas that can be used and should not replace something else you are doing. This is not medical advice either.