Christmas gross motor games and this movement activity is a little twist on one of our other gross motor games, Blind Play. Blind play is an excellent way to stimulate the sensory system, develop listening skills, and encourage balance reactions, body awareness, and body control. Can your kiddos help Santa Find His Sleigh?
WHAT TO DO: Fill a room with soft obstacles (pillows, cushions, large balls, stuffed animals). Place a laundry basket or other container on one side of the room (this will be the sleigh). Have one child or an adult stand near the sleigh. From the opposite side of the room, a blindfolded child (Santa) will carry a toy to the sleigh by listening to the directions. The person standing near the sleigh will provide directions about how to maneuver the obstacles to safely get Santa to his goal. For instance, “take a step to the right”, “step over the pillow on the floor”, “move forward”, etc. The goal is, of course, to get the sleigh loaded with toys for all of the good girls and boys!
HOW TO CHANGE IT UP:
-Do you have a crawler or a toddler? No blindfold needed! The ability to negotiate the obstacles on the floor requires motor planning, strength, balance, body awareness and coordination. See if they can maneuver the mess and get to you!
-Use heavier or odd-sized objects as the toys to encourage a little more strength and control by the blindfolded Santa.
-Move the sleigh around so that no one gets used to the path!
WHAT YOU NEED: A basket, pillows/cushions/stuffed animals, a blindfold, toys to load into the sleigh
SKILL AREAS ADDRESSED: Gross motor skills, strength, balance, motor control, coordination.
Want to take a closer look at the skills kids are using in this activity? Check out our Clinical Closeup page, where we break down the skills listed below in terms everyone can understand.
