Toys that Help Develop Large Motor Skills

Toys that Help Develop Large
Motor Skills
It’s important that children work the large groups of muscles
in their arms and legs. At our preschool, we make sure our
toddlers and preschoolers get time outdoors and in our gym. We
researched carefully before buying our toys that help develop
large motor skills. In this collection, I’ve included our
favorites.
I’d love to hear what your children’s favorite large motor
toys are! Please share in the comments section!
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Toys that Help Develop Large Motor
Skills
Moluk Bilibo Chairs
Our toddlers and preschoolers love to rock in these chairs and
then turn them over and balance on top. There are endless ways
you can use these chairs! The benefits include stimulating
creativity, improving hand-eye coordination, strengthening the
core, improving balance, and helping with sensory issues.
Scooter Boards
These small square boards can be used in many ways. We added
short ropes to ours so that the preschoolers can pull each
other. Here is an article that shares the benefits of using
scooter boards for fine motor development.
Balance Beam
Our balance beam can be used in 3 ways: without the stand, so
it sits directly on the floor (toddlers), on the stand, with a
wide base (younger preschoolers), and on the stand, with a
narrow base (older preschoolers). We use the exact brand and
model that is pictured above and it’s held up strong for over
a decade!
Tunnel
We have 2 different types of tunnels (one is like the tunnel
that is pictured above), but both allow our preschoolers to
crawl on hands and knees from one end to the other,
strengthening their upper and lower extremities. Our toddlers
love to “hide” in them and play peek-a-boo, too.
Parachute
We love to use our parachute for group large motor play. We
sing songs while lifting and lowering the parachute, moving in
circles, and crawling underneath. Our preschoolers also love
to pull each other on the parachute! You can read more about
the benefits of parachute play here.
Playground Balls
We have a variety of balls from small to large and they are
all loved by our preschoolers! Playground balls, such as those
pictured above, are very durable. We’ve had them for years and
have only needed to replace a couple of them.
Hula Hoop
It takes awhile to master balancing the hoop and swinging it
around the waist, but this is a favorite even if that skill
hasn’t been mastered yet. We use them to roll across the room
(and then chase them!) and on the floor to hop in and out of.
They’ve been part of obstacle courses and have been turned
into cars and horses and trains.
Basketball Hoop
Tossing balls into basketball hoops is an important large
motor toy because preschoolers need to use both legs, both
arms, and cross over the midline of the body. Make sure the
hoop can be adjusted to your child’s height.
Bouncy Ball
Bouncy balls (also known as Hoppity Hops and Hippity Hop
Balls) are a good way to develop balance and body
coordination. They work well indoors and out!
Rocking Boat
The wood rocking boat (we own the brand and model shown above)
is loved by all our preschoolers! It seats 2-4 children. When
you turn it over, it becomes a set of stairs.
What are your favorite toys for active
play?
Here are some good articles about the importance of large
motor play:
Why is it Important to Develop Gross Motor Skills in Preschool
Children? (Everyday Life)
Big Body Play (NAEYC)
What Are Gross Motor Skills? (OT Mom)
More active ideas for young children: