Happy December week 3! I hope everyone is enjoying the Christmas season! As promised, 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!
Christmas Freeze
Play Christmas music and have the children dance, randomly pause the Christmas music and have them freeze in whatever position they are in similar to musical chairs. By dancing to the Christmas music they will be working on all gross motor skills and moving their bodies, by freezing in whatever position they are in this will work on balance, stability, and muscle control.
Snowball Bowling
Set up plastic water bottles, or tall empty containers to act as bowling pins. Roll up white socks or use white plastic balls to act as “snowballs”. Have the child roll the “snowballs” towards the containers like bowling. To make this activity even more festive, do this outside in the snow with real snowballs if it is snowy where you are!
Snowball Fight/Snowball Toss
Using the same “snowballs” from the bowling, whether it’s rolled up white socks, plastic balls, or real snowballs, a snowball fight or toss is a great way to work on many gross motor skills. Tossing a snowball works on throwing, hand/eye coordination, catching, and also balance.
Santa Steps
Place sheets of white paper with shoe prints around the house. Have the child stomp on the footprints that act as Santa’s steps through the house. To make this easier, place the sheets of paper closer together, to make it more challenging spread them further apart to work on balance and stability.
Tummy Time with Jingle Bells
Put the child on their stomach and ring jingle bells in front of them to get them to look up for neck/head control – move the bells from side to side to work on tracking – if they are strong enough, have them reach toward the bells to work on weight shifting.
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