Apple Orchard Game for Gross Motor Skills Development

Movement games are a great way to work on gross motor skills development.  This apple orchard game is a fun fall-themed activity that can appeal to a wide range of ages and abilities.

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Have you ever taken your kiddos apple picking?  I have to admit, it’s something we haven’t done yet.  I can just picture all of those apples being thrown into the baskets without a second thought…by the time we got home, we would have applesauce! :)

These movement activities for kids will be a challenge: to get apples safely into the baskets without using their hands!  If they get good enough at it, try this activity on your next trip to the orchard!  But be sure to send us a picture!

What You’ll Need:

-“apples” (red balls like the ones found in ball pits or tennis balls, rolled up socks, etc)
-basket or box

What to Do:

Place a basket in the center of your play space.  Ask your child to carry an “apple” to the basket using different parts of their body (suggestions are below).  When they get to the basket, ask them to put that apple in gently so they don’t bruise those shiny red apples!
-chin
-elbow
-shoulder
-knees
-on your head
-behind your back
-between two fingers

How to Change it Up:

-Try it with partners!  Similar to our Wacky Relay activity, the kids would have to work together to carry the objects (each use an elbow, etc).
-Use different sized and different weighted objects
-Change the size and height of the basket for an extra challenge
-While holding the apples, have the kids move in different ways toward the basket (skip, jump, gallop, walk backwards)…can they keep hold of the apple?
-Try this activity as part of an apple-themed sensory motor lesson plan!

For Virtual Sessions:

Ask the child/parent to find several pairs of socks. Roll the socks into pairs to make a “basket of apples”. Use the instructions in the blog post to have kids complete the various movement activities.

Skill Areas Addressed:

Balance, coordination, motor control, social skills, cognitive skills, gross motor skills development, proprioception

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Lauren Drobnjak

Lauren Drobnjak is co-author of The Inspired Treehouse blog and a pediatric physical therapist who currently practices in the educational environment. She has been a physical therapist for 18 years, with 17 of those years specifically in pediatrics. Her drive to make a difference in the lives of kids has led her entrepreneurial spirit in the direction of creating opportunities for play-based wellness and child development. She is a busy mama of 3 who thrives on chaos. To come down from the stress, Lauren enjoys exercising like she’s still 20, yoga, chocolate, a great book, browsing Pinterest, and anything crafty!

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