Happy December! It’s officially the Christmas season which means shopping, music, movies, baking, and all of the Holiday activities! Throughout the month of December I will post PT-friendly and fun holiday activities to do with your little ones. These activities are perfect for working on gross motor skills but keeping the holiday fun.
Sleigh pulling
Fill up a laundry basket or empty box (let’s face we know you have empty Amazon boxes lying around your house) with stuffed animals or any type of toys to act as Santa’s Sleigh. Tie a rope, sheet, or long piece of string/fabric to the box/basket. The other end can be made into a handle or tied to a hula hoop to go around their core. Have them pretend they are reindeer and have to pull Santa’s Sleigh full of toys around the house. This activity is great for building strength, balance, and endurance. For fun, put on some Christmas music in the background such as “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” for some extra motivation.
Ice skating
Indoor ice skating is a great way to work on balance and strength but also having fun while doing so! This works best on hardwood or smooth floors rather than carpet, but it can also be done on carpet if that is all that you have. Place a piece of paper or paper plate under each foot. Have the child slide their feet along the floor in a “skating” motion. Have them go around corners or furniture to make it more challenging. *Be careful as this can be very slippery and cause the child to potentially slip and fall*
Dance to Christmas Songs
Dancing to Christmas Songs is a great way to work on gross motor skills. Everyone loves Christmas songs, so why not make it fun and purposeful. Play different songs such as Rudolph and have them gallop around like a reindeer, Frosty the Snowman and have them pretend to squat down and build a snowman, there are also a lot of great Christmas/Winter dancing videos on youtube that promote different movements as well!
Take a walk in the snow
Taking a walk in the snow is the easiest way to work on all different kinds of gross motor skills. They will be working on strength with each step they take by lifting up their heavy boots and with the resistance of the snow. They will also be working on balance as the snow can be slippery and cause them to use more stabilizing muscles. It will also work on endurance as the resistance from the snow makes it more difficult. Add some fun activities into your walk such as a snow ball fight for coordination, making snow angels to work on transitions, or building a snowman to work on strength and transitions.
Infants : tummy time under the tree and tracking with ornaments
The holidays are a great time to work on tummy time as there are so many different things to look at to entertain them and help them to work on tracking. The Christmas tree is a great one with the shimmering lights and different ornaments to grab their attention, bonus if you have a train under your tree, place the child on their tummy infront of the train tracks to watch it go around the tree. You can also use Christmas lights, toys, or anything that lights up or makes sound to help work on head/neck strength.
Comment your favorite Holiday activities to do with your kids!
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