Ways to Promote Gross Motor Skills in the Summer

Morgan Harper, PT, DPT

With the weather finally warming up, we are able to spend more and more time outside. For kids, playing outside is ripe with opportunities to work on gross motor skills, with some activities requiring little to no additional items. Listed are a handful of the MANY activities you can do outside to work on your gross motor skills:

Walking Outside

It may seem a bit obvious, but walking outside is great for gross motor development. Increase the challenge by walking on the grass/mulch/rocks, up and down hills, and barefoot to target higher level balance, endurance, and foot/ankle strength.

Playing Games with Others

Tag, Freeze Tag, Hide and Seek, Red Light/Green Light, and Capture the Flag are all fun games to play with friends/family that require little to no items. Running around works on your endurance, coordination, strength, and balance when having to change directions and stop and go quickly.

Chalk Games

Setting up Hop Scotch, The Floor is Lava, and obstacle courses are a great way to work on your agility, balance, and motor planning. Increase challenge by going backwards or setting a timer to see how fast you can complete the activities.

Scooter or Tricycle or Bicycle

Riding a scooter and bicycle work on your balance, postural balance, and coordination. Riding a bicycle is a great way to work on improving ankle dorsiflexion range of motion for kids who toe walk. Increase the challenge by going up hills, using the opposite leg on a scooter, and creating obstacle courses.

There are countless other ways to promote gross motor skills outside, such as on a playground or playing sports, however these are the ones that can be done at home. If you notice your child has a hard time keeping up with peers while running around this summer, our pediatric physical therapists provide evaluations and treatments to assist with participation in age appropriate activities!