Movement Activities for Preschoolers: 5 activities to get the wiggles out
Movement activities help keep preschoolers engaged, excited, and racing ahead in their development.
Why movement matters
As a nanny, you probably already know that movement is super important for kiddos in the preschool age group. It not only helps in their physical development - building muscle strength, improving coordination and motor skills - but also plays a crucial role in their cognitive and social development.
Engaging in movement activities helps little ones to develop spatial awareness, improves their focus and memory, and provides an opportunity for social interaction and cooperation. Plus, it’s a whole lot of fun! But sometimes it can be hard to come up with movement activities to keep kiddos engaged. So here are 5 of our favorite activities for preschoolers!
5 fun movement activities for preschoolers
Animal walks This activity is not only fun but also helps in developing gross motor skills and coordination. Ask your kiddo(s) to move around the room pretending to be different animals. For example, hop like a frog, slither like a snake, gallop like a horse, or waddle like a penguin. You can make it more challenging by setting up an obstacle course that they have to navigate while doing their animal walks.
Dance party Put on some music and have a dance party! Dancing is a great way for children of all ages to express themselves and it helps in developing their rhythm and coordination. You can make it more engaging by playing a game of freeze dance. When the music plays, everyone dances, and when the music stops, everyone freezes in their position. That goes for you, too!
Shadow tag This outdoor activity is a fun twist on the traditional game of tag and is perfect for a sunny day. The person who is ‘it’ has to tag the shadows of the other players with their foot instead of tagging them directly. This encourages the children to think creatively about how to move in order to avoid getting their shadow tagged. For younger kids, regular tag can be just as fun!
Obstacle course Setting up a simple obstacle course can be a fun and engaging way for preschoolers to develop their motor skills and coordination. It’s also easy to adapt to the kids’ ages. Use cushions, chairs, or masking tape on the floor to create a course that the children have to navigate by crawling under, jumping over, or going around the obstacles. To make it more challenging, time the children to see how fast they can complete the course or ask them to carry a small ball while navigating the obstacles.
Simon says This classic game is always a hit with preschoolers and helps in developing their listening and concentration skills. Stand at the front and give the children instructions starting with “Simon says”. For example, “Simon says touch your toes.” The children should only follow the instruction if it starts with “Simon says”. If you give an instruction without saying “Simon says”, the children should not follow it.
(For more fun indoor activities for kids of all ages, check out this post on rainy day activities!)
Shadow tag is a tricky variation on regular tag
Do you have any favorite movement activities?
Movement activities are a super important part of a preschooler’s day, and if you’re a nanny for this age group, you know how useful they are. They help in developing kids’ physical, cognitive, and social skills, and they are a lot of fun! Do you have any other favorite movement activities? We’d love to hear about them and add them to our inspo lists! Tag us on Instagram or drop a line on our Facebook.
And if you’re not already a Smart Sitter, but are a dedicated, top level nanny looking for your next position – look us up! Our screening process is rigorous, but for caregivers who make it into the network, rewarding, professional nanny jobs and a supportive community await! If you think you have what it takes, we’d love to see your application today.