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The Inspired Treehouse

Growing healthy bodies and minds through play!

Kids Thanksgiving Balance Challenge

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This kids Thanksgiving balance challenge is a fun and engaging way to work on balance by changing positions on an uneven surface!

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We’re always on the search for fun new kids Thanksgiving activities.  We have a ton of crafty fine motor options in our archives (you can find them all here!) but this year we wanted to think outside the box with some new gross motor ideas for the holiday.

We got to thinking about how we could use our tried and true laminated turkey feathers to create a fun balance game for kids…here’s what we came up with!

What You’ll Need:

There are a few different options for the balancing surface:

-a Bosu-style balance trainer

-a foam balance pad

-an inflatable wiggle seat

-We used a vibrating cushion that we happened to have on hand. We removed the vibrating insert for this activity.

What to do:

Place your balancing surface on the floor.  Print and cut out the colored turkey feathers from the freebie and tape them to the floor in a semi-circle around the balancing surface.   Print and cut out the turkey head/body and add it to the middle of your turkey.

Print and cut out another set of the same colored feathers to use as visual prompts for the activity.

Version 1: Single leg step

Have the child stand on the surface with both feet.  Show them one of the prompt feathers and have them step down with one foot on to the same colored feather on the floor, keeping their other foot on the surface.  Then, have them balance carefully to step back up onto the surface.

Version 2:jump

Have the child stand on the surface with both feet.  Show them one of the prompt feathers and have them jump down with two feet to the same colored feather on the floor.  Then, have them balance carefully to step back up onto the surface.

Version 3:Touch a hand or match a feather

Have the child stand on the surface with both feet.  Show them one of the prompt feathers and have them bend carefully, keeping their balance on the surface, to touch that same colored feather with their hand.  Or, hand the feather to the child and have them bend to place it on the same colored feather on the floor. Stand up and repeat!

Version 4:Step a sequence

Have the child stand on the surface with both feet.  Show them a sequence of 2 or 3 feathers and have them step on, jump on, or touch those feathers in the same order shown.

Will you be trying this activity as part of your Thanksgiving therapy sessions? We’d love to see this activity in action!  Post your pictures and videos on IG and tag us @insptreehouse

Other Thanksgiving Ideas for Kids

Free Printable Table Setting Game

Wikki Stixy Tom Fine Motor Activity

 Taped Up Turkey Feathers

15 Kids Table Activities

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Claire Heffron

Claire Heffron is co-author at The Inspired Treehouse and a pediatric occupational therapist in a preschool/primary school setting. She began her career with a bachelor's degree in magazine journalism but quickly changed course to pursue graduate studies in occupational therapy. She has been practicing therapy for 10 years in public and specialized preschool/primary school settings. She is a mom to three funny, noisy boys and relies on yoga, good food, and time outside to bring her back to center.
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