Check out a few of our favorite kids books about cooperation skills and friendship! 1 Frederick by Leo Lionni: A sweet tale about the magic that can happen when everyone contributes his unique talents to the team. 2 Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle: This catchy, song-like book tells the tale of Blue, the friends he makes along his way, and how they all work together to help Blue out when he's in a jam. 3 Bear Wants More by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman: A cute little rhyme about a hungry Bear and his forest friends who all pitch in to help him fill his tummy. 4 Can I Play Too? by Mo ... Read More about OUR FAVORITE KIDS BOOKS ABOUT COOPERATION
Partner Obstacle Course Games for Kids
Obstacle course games for kids are a great way to encourage teamwork and social skills while also working on gross motor skills like balance and coordination! How to use obstacle course games to target developmental skills: Obstacle course games for kids are a fun way to promote a wide variety of gross motor skills. From working on balance to coordination to all-over body strengthening and even hand strengthening - obstacle courses do it all! Here are some ideas on how to use obstacle courses to target specific developmental skills: Gross Motor Skills: Obstacle courses ... Read More about Partner Obstacle Course Games for Kids
GROSS MOTOR ACTIVITIES: CREATE YOUR OWN ROLLER COASTER
Gross Motor Development Activity: Create Your Own Roller Coaster Ride Ok, lets have some fun today! In my career as an OT (and also as a mom who encourages her kids to explore anything and everything), I have never come across a child who does not like to move! Sometimes the simplest gross motor activities can be the most fun.   So find some kids and a sheet, and lets go! WHAT YOU'LL NEED: Sheet (any size) WHAT DO DO: Spread a sheet (any size) on a wood or tile floor, or outside on the grass. Instruct one child to sit cross-legged on the sheet and grasp the the edges on either side of ... Read More about GROSS MOTOR ACTIVITIES: CREATE YOUR OWN ROLLER COASTER
GROUP GAMES FOR KIDS: WACKY RELAY!
Group games for kids are a great way to focus on social skills, teamwork, and gross motor skills!  Here's one of our favorites! This game takes a traditional relay challenge and turns it on it's head!  Easy, free kids games are hard to come by, but this fun activity for gross motor skill development requires no planning and only simple materials you can find around your house!  It's sure to get some smiles while challenging kids' motor skills and social skills too! WHAT YOU'LL NEED: An object to carry WHAT TO DO: Two children carry an object of choice (ball, pencil, stuffed animal, ... Read More about GROUP GAMES FOR KIDS: WACKY RELAY!
TOYS AND ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS: COOPERATION
This post contains affiliate links. Read more. Looking for toys and activities for kids that will inspire teamwork and cooperation?  Check out a few of our favorite things! 1 Super Slider Zoom Ball: An interactive gross motor toy that depends on cooperation while also targeting bilateral coordination, body awareness, and strengthening 2 The Cooperative Band: A fun addition to group gross motor activities and a great way to build balance, strength, and body awareness 3 Richard Scarry’s Busytown Eye Found It Game: Targets cooperative play and communication by requiring all players to work ... Read More about TOYS AND ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS: COOPERATION
Airplane Movement Song for Transportation Theme
Gross motor activities that go along with catchy music are great ways to get kids moving!  Think about all the times a catchy song has come on in the car and a glance in the rearview mirror reveals bobbing heads, clapping hands, and all around grooving! Laurie Berkner Band is one of our favorite bands for musical movement. And this song is one of our favorites to get kids moving! Click here to find the song on YouTube. THE AIRPLANE SONG Get in your airplanes and off we go Going to the park is first, you know. Now slow it down and land on the ground And when you get out you’re gonna ... Read More about Airplane Movement Song for Transportation Theme
WELCOME TO OUR TREEHOUSE!
The Inspired Treehouse features creative, playful activities that promote development and wellness in children. We are pediatric physical and occupational therapists with years of clinical and school-based experience, but we’re busy moms too!  So we know how important it is to cut to the chase and provide realistic, easy-to-implement activities and suggestions. The activities we feature here are the same ones we use in our therapy practice and at home with our own kids, so they’re tried and true!  At The Inspired Treehouse, we believe that with a little help, kids can build strong, healthy ... Read More about WELCOME TO OUR TREEHOUSE!
JUEGOS CON CUERDAS PARA NIÑOS
Hoy compartimos algunos de nuestros juegos para niños de salto con cuerdas favoritos. El lanzamiento de la campaña de la Asociación Cardiológica de los Estados Unidos, Salta a la cuerda; protege tu corazón (Jump Rope for Heart), recorrió nuestras escuelas primarias el mes pasado, y a su paso muchos niños quedaron con más ganas de seguir saltando la cuerda.  Este ejercicio no solo es genial para la salud cardiovascular, ¡es fantástico también para la coordinación!  El año pasado publicamos una entrada sobre cómo enseñar a tu hijo a saltar la cuerda y tuvo tanto éxito que pensamos que serÃa ... Read More about JUEGOS CON CUERDAS PARA NIÑOS