Winter Warmers: Indoor Movement Activities for Kids

With winter now here, many of us and the children we care for, are spending more time indoors. Many caregivers are keen to provide alternative activities to screen time and whilst other seated activities such as drawing, Lego or puzzles might spring to mind, have you considered indoor activities to get the kids moving?

Movement activities have the potential to develop and support gross motor skills as well as providing our bodies with calming input to support the regulation of our emotional state.

Gross motor skills refer to the skills that are developed using the large muscles in the body. These large muscles are those in the arms, legs, and trunk. Gross motor skill development means using these muscles in a coordinated and controlled way. A stable core is important for other skills that require fine motor movements such as writing, drawing and self-care tasks. For further information about gross motor skills have a chat to one of our lovely OTs.

Other benefits of movement activities include the potential to support emotional regulation. The concept of “heavy work” refers to activities that support resistance through the muscles and joints of our bodies, this type of sensory input can be calming for the body and the mind. It helps kids calm themselves, feel more ready and organised to participate and could support a child who is wriggling, on the move, and having trouble settling during the cold wet days spent indoors.

Looking for ideas to get you started? Why not consider the following?

Go Noodle: Use the screentime to your advantage and try a fun Go Noodle physical activity. This website is used by lots of teachers and includes a range of fun movement-based activities that are designed for different age groups. Use the age categories to guide your choice but consider the child’s preferences and capabilities.

Follow the Leader Dance Party: Make some space and turn on the radio, download your favourite playlist or stream music from a digital platform. Take turns to be the leader, prompt children to explore dancing using their whole body by suggesting body parts to use such feet, legs, arms, upper body, and trunk. Get creative and don’t be afraid to explore the silly side of dancing and join in with your child.

Keepy Uppy Balloon Game: Families who are familiar with Bluey may recall the Keepy Uppy episode. Challenge children to keep the balloon off the ground and increase the challenge by adding obstacles they need to keep the balloon from touching such as the couch or a Lego tower. This game promotes gross motor skills, co-ordination and can be played individually or in a group.

Treasure Hunt: Using the space you have inside and items from around the house create a treasure hunt. There are different types of treasure hunts, some give a list of clues, others use maps, and some are scavenger hunts. You can adapt and increase the complexity of the treasure hunt depending on the individual child. Remember don’t make the treasure hunt too long or complicated, a just right challenge will keep children engaged and moving. You can even include funny walks or movements between each item for example “jump to the kitchen” or “crawl to the couch.” This activity provides lots of gross motor activity and co-ordination, as well as supporting problem solving skills.

Animal Walks: Create all sorts of funny walks and crawls or use animals for inspiration. You can find animal walk cards on the internet to support your creativity. The proprioceptive feedback from engaging all our big muscle groups can help to calm the nervous system.

Fun Helping Out with Chores: Movement can also be incidental. Consider household activities that may be appropriate for the child to complete or assist with. For example, loading or unloading the washing machine, moving the laundry basket, or vacuuming. These are examples of heavy work that uses large muscle groups and may help to calm the body.

Lounge Room Obstacle Course: use pillows, cushions, books, and other toys to create an obstacle course. Go slow, or move fast, crawl, jump or hop to add extra challenge and fun. This activity incorporates lots of gross motor and co-ordination activities as well as motor planning for different movements and spatial awareness.

ABC Listen Radio: This station provides free music and guided activities for children. Check out this link.

Whilst we can support outdoor activities with appropriate clothing and a sense of adventure, indoor activities can also provide opportunities to include gross motor activities, “heavy work” and lots of fun. The benefits to children of these types of activities include development of core muscle and large muscle group strength and co-ordination needed in lots of everyday activities, and the potential to assist with calming the body and mind. For further ideas to support your child with gross motor skills in everyday activities or regulation strategies have a chat to our TPAG Occupational Therapy team.

Raising Children Network, 2022, “movement and play ideas for pre-schoolers”,

<https://raisingchildren.net.au/preschoolers/play-learning/play-preschooler-development/movement-play-preschoolers>, accessed June 2022.