Super Snowball Gross Motor Game!
We have a fantastic basement that gets a lot of use in the winter! There is an open space that can accommodate lots of movement activities — something my kiddos really crave when the weather is bad and they can’t get outside. This gross motor game requires some space but can be outrageously fun!!
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: Items for fort building (pillows, tables, chairs, boxes, blankets), newspapers
WHAT TO DO: Divide the room in half with cones or tape across the middle. If you have a group of kids, divide them into 2 teams. If you have only one child, see the “How to Change It Up” section below. Allow each team to build a fort with found objects — boxes, couch cushions, chairs, blankets, tables, etc. Behind each fort, have a stack of newspapers that the children can tear and squish into “snowballs”. When you say “GO!”, have them start throwing their snowballs at the other team. If a member of the other team runs out to gather more snowballs and is hit, he must do 10 snow angels on the floor before going back to his fort!
HOW TO CHANGE IT UP:
-If you only have one child playing, set up objects for him to hit around the fort (bowling pins, stuffed animals, paper targets, etc). The goal is to work on throwing and encourage movement!!
-If you are really adventurous OR you have access to a gym space, allow each team to have a playground ball that is the “magic” snowball. They are able to use this snowball to try to hit and destroy the opposite team’s fort, exposing the team members to be hit by more snowballs!
SKILL AREAS ADDRESSED: Gross motor skills, strength, endurance, coordination, motor control, sensory integration
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.
