‘Tis the season for pediatric PTs to come up with fun and creative Christmas gross motor activities for kids! Here’s a great way to get the whole class or family moving on a chilly winter day!
Every child I know gets a little fidgety in the winter months. The opportunity to be outside is difficult to come by with the frigid temperatures and early sunsets here in Northeast Ohio.
This time of year, it is so important to incorporate fun Christmas gross motor activities that provide kids with the proprioceptive input, cardiovascular work, and strengthening they need to keep their bodies strong, alert, and efficient.
This activity was inspired by the Christmas season as we all head out to pick out the perfect Christmas tree! You’ll definitely want to add this to your list of Christmas gross motor activities for kids!
Christmas Gross Motor Activities: Chopping Down the Tree
What you’ll need:
-Large bolster (a big cardboard box, a punching bag, or stacked up couch cushions will also work)
What to do:
In this activity, the bolster is the tree! Stand the bolster up on its end in a wide open space. Have your child pretend to be a lumberjack and use his hands to “chop” down the tree.
He can use cross body movements with both arms to simulate using an ax, push it over with both hands, or karate chop it! Whatever works! If he feels like it, even try kicking down that tree!
After the tree is cut down, he must drag it to the house. Provide him with detailed directions for the path (turn left at the couch, right at the table, etc). He must push, pull, or roll the “tree” to the desired destination. Once the tree is at its final location, he can stand it back up using his body strength to put it in an upright position.
How to change it up:
-This activity would be so fun as a relay race if you have more than one bolster or lots of couch cushions to stack!
-Provide resistance to the bolster as your child tries to knock it down. Make it even harder!
-The game can be played outside too! Snow would provide some excellent resistance for rolling or dragging that tree!!
Looking for more fun Holiday gross motor activities?
Santa Bootcamp Printable Christmas Game
Christmas Tree Balance Activity
Free Printable Christmas Gross Motor Bingo
20+ Christmas Gross Motor Activities from Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds
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