Being outside is important for children. The outdoors is the best place for young children to practice and master emerging physical skills and to experience the pure joy of movement. And you can inspire the practice of motor skills – and its accompanying joy – with a backyard carnival!

Following are activities for motor skills falling under the headings of manipulative skills (those in which an object is handled), locomotor (traveling) skills and gymnastic skills.

Even the youngest child can roll and receive a large ball, which means performing this skill offers plenty of opportunity for success. Start by asking your child to roll balls of various sizes at an outside wall. Once he's comfortable with this, try "bowling" with a large ball and empty soda bottles!

Boxes and balls are childhood favorites, but combined into a fun game, they are irresistible!

You'll need:
Empty boxes of all sizes (not too big!)
Ball

Content on this site is not a substitute for professional medical or healthcare advice, diagnosis or treatment, and may not be used for such purposes. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical question or condition. Reliance on information presented on this site is at your own risk. This site contains the opinions and views of other users. Given the interactive nature of this site, we cannot endorse, guarantee, or be responsible for the accuracy, efficacy, or veracity of any content generated by our users.