Goally Penguin Logo with Sunglasses

Goally

Get

Goally

7 Physical Development Activities for Toddlers

Physical development is a crucial aspect of your toddler’s growth, and finding engaging activities that cater to both neurotypical and neurodivergent kids can be a challenge. In this blog post, we’ll share seven exciting activities that promote physical development while keeping your little ones entertained. From sensory play that stimulates their senses to creative movement that encourages self-expression, these activities offer a mix of indoor and outdoor options for all children. Read on to discover how you can create lasting memories with your child while supporting their development through fun and engaging experiences.

1. Sensory Play

Sensory play is an excellent way to engage your child’s senses and promote physical development. For example, you can:

  • Create a sensory bin filled with different textures, such as rice, beans, or sand.
  • Use playdough or slime for tactile exploration.
  • Set up a water table for splashing and pouring.

These activities help develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and spatial awareness, making them perfect for both neurotypical and neurodivergent kids.

Moreover, sensory play can be easily adapted to suit your child’s interests and needs. For instance, you can:

  • Add scented items like essential oils or herbs to the sensory bin.
  • Incorporate visual elements like colored water or glowing objects.
  • Use sound-making toys or instruments for auditory stimulation.
A mom sits on a bed and plays the guitar for her daughter who dances on the bed which is one good method of physical development activities for toddlers.
Read more: 7 Fun Activities for Kids With ADHD

2. Dance Party

A dance party is a fun and energetic way to get your child moving. To make it more engaging:

  • Choose age-appropriate, upbeat music.
  • Encourage your child to copy your dance moves or create their own.
  • Use props like scarves or streamers for added fun.

Dancing helps improve balance, coordination, and gross motor skills, while also providing a great opportunity for social interaction and self-expression.

To keep the dance party fresh and exciting, you can:

  • Introduce new songs or genres to explore different rhythms and movements.
  • Set up a “stage” with lights or decorations for a more immersive experience.
  • Invite friends or family members to join in and create a social atmosphere.

3. Obstacle Course

Setting up an obstacle course is a fantastic way to challenge your child’s physical abilities. You can:

  • Use household items like pillows, chairs, and boxes to create obstacles.
  • Incorporate tasks such as crawling, jumping, and balancing.
  • Adjust the difficulty level to suit your child’s abilities.

Obstacle courses promote gross motor skills, problem-solving, and perseverance, making them ideal for kids with thinking and learning differences.

To make the obstacle course even more engaging, consider the following:

  • Adding a theme, such as a jungle adventure or superhero mission.
  • Timing your child and encouraging them to beat their personal best.
  • Offering rewards or incentives for completing the course.

4. Ball Games

Ball games are a classic way to develop hand-eye coordination and gross motor skills. Some fun options include:

  • Playing catch with different-sized balls.
  • Kicking a soccer ball around the yard.
  • Rolling a ball back and forth on the floor.

These activities can be easily adapted for children with special needs by using larger or softer balls or by adjusting the distance between players.

To add variety to your ball games, try the following:

  • Introducing new games like basketball, volleyball, or dodgeball.
  • Setting up targets or goals for added challenge.
  • Organizing a friendly competition with siblings or friends.

5. Yoga for Kids

Yoga is a gentle and inclusive way to promote physical development in toddlers. To get started:

  • Find age-appropriate yoga videos or classes.
  • Encourage your child to follow along with the poses.
  • Use props like yoga blocks or straps to support their practice.

Yoga helps improve flexibility, balance, and body awareness, making it a great option for neurodivergent kids.

To keep your child engaged in their yoga practice, consider the following:

  • Incorporating storytelling or themes into the yoga session.
  • Using fun animal names for the poses, like “cat-cow” or “downward dog.”
  • Practicing yoga together as a family to model the poses and create a supportive environment.
A mom and dad do stretches in the background while their toddler strikes a funny pose, showing that exercise is good physical development activities for toddlers.
Read more: 31 Active Indoor Toys & Games for Autistic Kids

6. Outdoor Exploration

Exploring the great outdoors is a natural way to encourage physical development. Some ideas include:

  • Going for a nature walk or hike.
  • Playing at the park or playground.
  • Digging and planting in the garden.

Outdoor activities provide opportunities for climbing, running, and jumping, which help develop gross motor skills and muscle strength.

To make outdoor exploration even more enjoyable, try the following:

  • Creating a scavenger hunt or nature bingo game.
  • Building forts or structures with sticks, leaves, or other natural materials.
  • Encouraging your child to use their imagination and create stories or adventures while exploring.

7. Creative Movement

Creative movement activities allow your child to express themselves while improving their physical abilities. Try:

  • Playing freeze dance, where your child dances until the music stops, then freezes in place.
  • Encouraging your child to move like different animals, such as hopping like a frog or slithering like a snake.
  • Using ribbons or scarves to create flowing movements.

These activities promote coordination, balance, and self-expression, making them suitable for kids with thinking and learning differences.

To further enhance creative movement, you can:

  • Set up a “stage” or performance area for your child to showcase their moves.
  • Use props or costumes to inspire new movement ideas.
  • Invite friends or family members to join in and create a collaborative movement experience.

Goally | For Kids Who Hate Bedtime 😴😡

Goally kids tablet makes bedtime easy with bedtime routines completely controlled by the parent.

Physical development activities for toddlers are crucial for building a strong foundation for future growth and learning. By incorporating a variety of fun and engaging activities, you can support your child’s development while creating lasting memories together. So, whether it’s a dance party in the living room or an obstacle course in the backyard, get moving and have fun with your child!

This post was originally published on 05/19/2023. It was updated on 10/13/2023.

Article by
Goally Logo
Goally

We help parents teach their kids life skills, like doing bedtime and morning independently. Backed by science, we incorporate evidence-based practices and expert-informed designs in all of our apps and content.

Sponsored by - Goally

add

Sponsored by - Goally

add

Sponsored by - Goally

add