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The Empowered Educator

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Simple Gross Motor Games for Children

by The Empowered Educator 1 Comment

If you are looking for some new ideas to challenge children's gross motor skills try one of these simple games for  young children!

As the year draws to a close children tend to display many of the same emotions and behaviours as adults do at this time of the year.....grumpiness, tiredness, argumentative and just plain over it! My go to strategy for end of year angst when working with young children is to get them active and get those gross motor muscles moving...while making it fun!

Adding some simple games for young children into your program any time of the year is always a great idea so there is no need to limit the activity ideas in this collection to the end of the year! Gross motor games can offer many learning outcomes including teamwork, problem solving, counting skills, colour recognition while also strengthening coordination and balance.

I've included ideas from around the web that you can play indoors or outdoors so make sure to click on the text links under each image to learn more about the activity and how to play!

End of year gross motor games image 1
Use one of the simple game ideas for children in this collection from around the web to encourage gross motor play, coordination & teamwork!
  • Giant Connect 4 - A Girl and a Glue Gun
  • Blob Tag- The Inspired Treehouse
  • Lei Necklace Relay Race - Kid Friendly Things to Do
  • Sponge Toss Water Play - The Resourceful Mama 
Use one of the simple game ideas for children in this collection from around the web to encourage gross motor play, coordination & teamwork!

This coloured ball running game is fun for all ages! Easy to modify for younger children and older just by hiding the balls in easier or harder places outdoors or indoors. Encourages sorting, colour recognition, counting, teamwork, communication and large muscle play!

See how we played here.

Use one of the simple game ideas for children in this collection from around the web to encourage gross motor play, coordination & teamwork!
  • Giant Outdoor Memory - 123 Homeschool for Me 
  • Hopscotch - Northern Cheapskates 
  • DIY Ring Toss - Mom Endeavours
  •  Rabbit Hole Game - The Inspired Treehouse 
Use one of the simple game ideas for children in this collection from around the web to encourage gross motor play, coordination & teamwork!
  • Ping Pong Water Arcade Game - Driven By Decor 
  • Pass the Water - a Girl and a Glue Gun 
  • Donuts on a String - Small Fry Blog
  • Laundry Basket Skee Ball - Frugal Fun 4 Boys 
Use one of the simple game ideas for children in this collection from around the web to encourage gross motor play, coordination & teamwork!
  • Limbo - In The Playroom 
  • Bean Bag Toss - Modpodge Rocks Blog 
  • DIY Kerplunk - All Parenting
  • Knock the Balls - Frugal Fun 4 Boys 
Use one of the simple game ideas for children in this collection from around the web to encourage gross motor play, coordination & teamwork!

This 'spaghetti & meatballs' game is one of my favourites to play with younger toddlers - it not only makes everyone laugh it also challenges both fine and gross motor skills as well problem solving! See how to setup here.

Use one of the simple game ideas for children in this collection from around the web to encourage gross motor play, coordination & teamwork!

Christmas Themed Games

If you want to add a Christmas spin to your games then you'll love these fun Christmas themed games - perfect for those first few weeks of school holidays. 

Use one of the simple game ideas for children in this collection from around the web to encourage gross motor play, coordination & teamwork!
  • Bear Stays up Late Movement Fun - Rainy Day Mum
  • Polar Express Gross Motor Fun - Rainy Day Mum 
Use one of the simple game ideas for children in this collection from around the web to encourage gross motor play, coordination & teamwork!
  • Christmas Sensory Walk - Preschool POWOL packets
  • Don't Ring The Bells Obstacle Course - Childhood 101
Use one of the simple game ideas for children in this collection from around the web to encourage gross motor play, coordination & teamwork!
  • DIY Christmas Tree Toss - Red Ted Art 
  • Snowman Ball Toss  - Frogs, Snails and Puppy Dogs Tails 
Use one of the simple game ideas for children in this collection from around the web to encourage gross motor play, coordination & teamwork!
  • Christmas Tree Balancing - The Inspired Treehouse
  • Christmas Tree Bowling - Stir The Wonder
Use one of the simple game ideas for children in this collection from around the web to encourage gross motor play, coordination & teamwork!
  • Yoga for Kids - Childhood 101
  • Gingerbread Man Dice Game - 3 Dinosaurs 

Have you found a few simple games for young children to try out this holiday period? I hope they help you to turn any end of year grumpy frowns and tantrums into smiles and laughs!

Why not join our Empowered Educator Community on Facebook for more activity ideas and inspiration from other early childhood educators from around the world! 

A Little About Me

Jodie Clarke is an early childhood professional supporting educators who want and need to stay passionate about the work they do! She has 30 years hands-on experience in the early childhood and human services sectors across many different roles.


Jodie is mum to 3 in Australia and has already helped thousands of educators with their work through her popular blog posts, activity ideas, online training and e-books.

Filed Under: Christmas, gross motor fun, outdoor play Tagged With: Christmas activities, gross motor, outdoor games

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Comments

  1. Satta King says

    04/01/2021 at 6:00 pm

    Excellent post. I was reviewing this blog continuously, and I am impressed! Extremely helpful information especially this page. Thank you and good luck.

    Reply

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Jodie
Hi, I'm Jode, Mum to twins and a teen, and an early childhood educator.
I love to share ideas & resources for play based learning
Find out more about me here...

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