15 Best Movement Activities for Preschoolers in 2024

Is your little one a ball of nonstop energy?  Movement activities for preschoolers are the perfect way to channel that energy and help them learn and grow while they play! This blog post is packed with fun ideas to get your preschooler moving and grooving.

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15 Fun Movement Activities for Preschoolers

1. Sneaky Shapes Games

Sneaky Shapes Game

In this online game, children drag and drop different shapes into matching outlines. It’s designed to enhance fine motor skills and shape recognition. This game is perfect for young learners as it helps develop precision with finger movements, making it an engaging and educational activity for little ones.

Related Reading: Best Fine Motor Activities For Preschoolers

2. Ball Dunk: Toss Up Games

Ball Toss Up

This is an interactive online game where children aim and toss a virtual ball into a moving or stationary basket. The game focuses on improving hand-eye coordination and precision. It’s simple yet challenging, providing lots of fun as kids try to time their throws perfectly to score a basket. This game is great for practicing aiming skills in a playful and supportive virtual environment.

3. Animal Walks

In this activity, children pretend to be different animals. Instruct them to choose an animal and demonstrate how it moves: bear crawling on hands and knees, frog hopping from a squatting position, or snake slithering on its belly. 

How it Helps: This is one of the most fun movement games that allows children to use their bodies in various ways. Engaging in this game helps develop their motor skills and expands their creativity by allowing them to imagine themselves as different animals.

Related Reading: Best Fine Motor Activities for Kids

4. Obstacle Course

Set up a simple obstacle course using household items like pillows to jump over, boxes to crawl through, and toys to zigzag around. Encourage the children to go through the course as quickly as possible while navigating the obstacles safely. 

This movement idea is perfect for preschoolers as it helps enhance their physical coordination and agility. It also teaches them to follow instructions and solve physical challenges.

Related Reading: Best Outdoor Games for Kids of All Ages

5. Freeze Dance

Play music and let the children dance freely around the room. When the music stops, they must immediately freeze in whatever position. This activity is a fun way to teach children about rhythm and to react quickly to changes. 

Freeze Dance is effective for improving listening skills and reaction times, making it a great addition to movement games for preschoolers.

Related Reading: Best Dance Songs for Kids to Get Them Grooving

6. Balloon Toss

Give each child a balloon and ask them to keep it in the air using only their hands or feet. They can toss it up gently and catch or hit it before it touches the ground. This activity is enjoyable and helps children develop their hand-eye coordination and balance. It’s an excellent choice for movement activities for preschoolers because it encourages them to control their movements and stay focused on the balloon.

If you are looking for mess free play time, here is a fun online balloon pop game you should try:

Balloon Pop: Toss Up Game

7. Parachute Play

Use a large parachute or a bedsheet, and have the children hold the edges. Everyone should lift it high and then lower it down, creating waves. Place lightweight balls on the parachute and try to keep them bouncing without falling off. This game improves teamwork and coordination among preschoolers, as they learn to work together and predict the parachute’s movements.

Related Reading: Best Indoor and Outdoor Team Building Activities for Kids

8. Simon Says

Lead a game of “Simon Says” by instructing the children to perform different actions like jumping high, stomping loudly, or twirling around, only when “Simon says” to do so. This game sharpens listening skills and enhances physical awareness as children engage in a variety of motor movements. It’s a fun way to encourage active listening and quick responses.

Related Reading: Best Listening Activities for Kids

9. Yoga for Kids

Teach simple yoga poses suitable for young children, such as the tree pose, where they balance on one foot, or the cat-cow, where they arch and round their backs. These poses help improve flexibility and balance. Introducing yoga is beneficial for preschoolers as it promotes a sense of calm and helps them practice focus and body awareness.

Related Reading: Best Workouts for Kids

10. Connect the ‘Dots’

Create large dots on the floor with tape or paper. Ask children to connect the dots by walking, hopping, or jumping from one to the next in a sequence. This activity enhances their ability to follow directions and recognize patterns. It is a fundamental part of creative movement activities as it allows children to explore space and practice their locomotor skills.

11. Alphabet Scavenger Hunt

Hide objects around the room or outdoor area that start with different letters of the alphabet. Give each child a list of letters to find. This scavenger hunt is a dynamic way to incorporate learning with physical activity, making it an exciting choice for action activities for preschoolers. It encourages them to move around while enhancing their letter recognition and problem-solving skills.

Related Reading: Best Scavenger Hunt Ideas for Kids Paired With Themes

12. Action Songs & Rhymes

Use songs that include instructions for movements, such as “If You’re Happy and You Know It” or “The Hokey Pokey.” These songs engage children in music and movement activities, helping them to listen and move according to the lyrics. Singing and performing the actions improve their motor skills, coordination, and rhythm.

13. Skip Counting Hopscotch

Draw a hopscotch grid on the ground and number the squares for skip counting (like 2, 4, 6, 8, etc.). As children hop on each square, they count out loud. This game is a fantastic way to combine physical exercise with learning math concepts. It’s one of the best creative movement activities that encourage children to think and move simultaneously, enhancing both cognitive and physical development.

14. Bean Bag Toss

Set up several targets using boxes or hoops at varying distances. Give each child a bean bag and let them try to toss it into the targets. This activity is excellent for developing children’s aiming skills and hand-eye coordination. It also encourages them to understand distance and force as they learn how hard to throw the bean bag to reach different targets.

15. Duck, Duck, Goose

Have the children sit in a circle. One child walks around the outside of the circle, tapping each seated child lightly on the head while saying “duck” each time. Randomly, they will say “goose” when tapping a child, who must then jump up and chase the “it” around the circle. The goal is to tag that child before they can sit down in the vacant spot. This game is a fun way to develop quick reflexes and speed and social interaction among preschoolers.

4 Benefits of Movement Activities for Preschoolers

Movement activities for preschoolers are more than just fun ways to burn energy. They help your little one grow strong and healthy in many ways!

1. Running, jumping, and throwing – these movement activities build gross motor skills, which your child needs for climbing, playing sports, and everyday activities. They also help with fine motor skills, like holding a crayon or kicking a ball with control. Plus, coordination gets a boost, helping your child move their body smoothly.

2. Movement activities are like a brain workout! They help develop your child’s brain, improve memory, and even build problem-solving skills. Think about it: figuring out how to climb over a pillow obstacle course is like solving a mini-challenge!

3. Playing tag or sharing a parachute with other kids encourages teamwork, cooperation, and communication. These movement activities help your child learn to work together, share, and make new friends!

4. Movement activities aren’t just physical. They help your child manage emotions, like calming down after a meltdown or releasing energy when restless. They can also reduce stress and boost your child’s self-esteem, making them happy and confident!

Related Reading: Best Self Esteem Activities for Kids

Conclusion

Incorporating various movement activities for preschoolers into their daily routine is essential for their physical and cognitive development. These fun and engaging activities help little ones grow stronger, smarter, and more coordinated, making learning through play a joyful experience for everyone involved.

Related Reading: Best and Fun Ice-Breaker Games & Activities for Kids

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