Here are some active play ideas you can try with your toddler:
- Play hopscotch – all you need is chalk and
a concrete path or driveway (or use sticks or masking tape on a grassed or
paved area). Young children can step through the squares; try jumping and then
hopping as they develop these skills.
- Invest in some
push and pull toys and get to it!
- Save
your 2 litre bottles and cut the bottom off to create a scoop for catching balls/beanbags/rolled up socks, or for
scooping up leaves, paper or toys.
- Use paper planes to practice throwing (rolled up socks are good for this too!)
- Play the ‘freeze
dance’ – turn the music off and freeze!
- Create
a human chain around the house
chanting different movements like walk, walk, walking, hop, hop, hopping, run,
run, running, squat, crawl…
- Blow lots of bubbles
and watch your child’s joy as they chase them and try to pop them!
- Balance a
beanbag or rolled up socks on their head while they walk around the room.
- Set up an
obstacle course inside or out.
- Play
some ball games: rolling, catching,
kicking, using large and small balls. Balloons are good for catching too, and
easier to master (note: popped balloon
pieces can be a choking hazard).
- Play shadow games
– make your shadow tall, short, wide, or make it jump!
- Lie
down and roll - on the grass or
carpet - arms outstretched, arms at side, slow rolls, fast rolls.
- Hop, skip, jump, climb, run, dance – whenever you get
the chance!
- Set up a treasure
hunt inside or out.
- Go for a walk,
but leave those prams behind and let your child explore along the way.
- Active rhymes are great fun. Try “Head,
shoulders, knees and toes”, “Teddy bear, teddy bear turn around”, “Hokey
pokey”, “If you’re happy and you know it”.
- Play animal
charades – suggest different animals your child can move around imitating.
