Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in houston, TX

Toys and games to improve your child's balance

March 23, 2009

The weather forecasters are predicting a rainy week ahead, so I'll tell you about some fun games and toys you can enjoy indoors that will help your child improve his or her balance!

'Balance beam' fun! Use some painter's tape to mark off a 'balance beam' on the floor. Run two lines of tape about three feet long and leave about half a foot in between the three feet lines of tape. Pretend this is a balance bean, and encourage your child to walk on it. Add exciement to the game by having your child hold two stuffed animals (one in each hand), balancing a bean bag on his or her head, or doing a small turn. Let your preschool balance beam champ do a little jump "off" the end of the "beam"with arms up in the air like an Olympic medalist.

Build an obstacle course! Using boxes, pillows, cushions, chairs, and so forth, build a little obstacle course in your play area. This helps your child learn to gauge his or her body in relation to other objects. To add more balance challenge, create some fun "rules" such as "walk sideways through this part," or "balance a bean bag on your head through this part." Make sure they are only doing one challenge at a time, though!For example, let the balance portion be in a straight part.

Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes...on a dime!  Cut out a circle from construction paper or cardboard that is large enough for your child's feet (with some space in between). Do one for yourself too. Feel free to decorate! Place the circle on the floor and sing "Head, Shoulder Knees and Toes." (If you need help with the lyrics, you can read them here.) The object is to stay on the circle! This activity helps your child with body part names, sequences, music, balance, and more. Giggling encouraged.

Floor skate! What kid doesn't like to pretend skate on tile and wood floors with socks? Not only is this fun, but it helps build balance and balance strength! Put on socks and skate around the floor with your child. Hold hands and skate together and skate separately. Do fun skate moves---whatever you can think of or enjoy.

Kick ball! Kicking balls is a great way to improve both balance and coordination.

Toys that help! Riding toys help improve balance and coordination because they use larger arm and leg muscles, not to mention, practice builds confidence and ability. One Step Ahead also suggests some toys for 0-3 and for older, too, that help balance. Toys are great for fun and development, and I'm always happy with the quality from One Step Ahead and Leaps & Bounds. ebeanstalk also has a good selection that is both educational and fun, plus reasonably priced (hint: you can usually find coupon codes online!). However, toys also sometimes give moms ideas about how to re-tool things around the house for specific developmental games, such as to improve balance. let your imagination and cretivity flow, especially if you are watching your budget and don't want to watch your money go!

Supporting Your Little Yogi in Houston

by Rachel Mosteller

July 11, 2008

When it comes to physical activities for our children, most people turn to things such as soccer, baseball or gymnastics. But, let's face it, not all kids want to run the bases, kick that ball or do a flip. Some just want to bend over backwards, stand on their heads or find Inner Peace. If that's the case, there are plenty of places around Houston where your little one can find his or her  Read more...

Rainy Day Fun: Yarn Baseball

by Rachel Mosteller

June 04, 2008

What I love most about small children is that they will play with anything. Give them something new and they'll turn it into a favorite toy or a new game. That's just what happened in my house recently and it has turned into a perfect rainy day (or hot day) game. Yarn baseball. The concept is very simple. You take a ball of yarn. You throw it to each other. If you want to add in a little extra  Read more...

Rainy Day Fun on the North Side

by Rachel Mosteller

May 27, 2008

If you're on the north side of town and are feeling a bit stir-crazy from the rain (or, okay, let's admit it: the humidity, too), I know the place for you. In fact, I feel a bit bad giving away this secret, but it seems everyone in a 100 mile radius knows about it anyway. You need indoor play? Head to the Safari Stop playground at The Woodlands United Methodist Church.  Read more...