20 Toddler Activities For Energetic Fun On Rainy Days

Gross Motor Skills in Toddlers

As toddlers grow, they have more and more energy as well as a desire to test out the capabilities of their growing bodies. Therefore, it is important to provide educational activities that teach and encourage toddlers to use their bodies in a variety of ways; activities that involve gross motor skills.

Gross motor skills involve balance, coordination, and the movement of the large muscle groups found in the arms, legs, and torso.

While most children will naturally explore and develop their gross motor skills, children who struggle with these abilities may need extra support and encouragement. That’s why it is important to provide toddler activities that focus on gross motor skills, even on rainy days.

Need more educational toddler activities? 20 DIY Sensory Materials for Toddlers, Read HERE.

Examples of Gross Motor Skills in Toddlers:

• Running
• Jumping
• Climbing
• Crawling
• Throwing
• Catching
• Riding a Bike
• Balancing

Gross motor skills are important to encourage and develop for strong healthy bodies. But a toddler’s gross motor skills actually impact more than just a their physical development.

Research shows that gross motor skills can help:

• prevent childhood obesity
• improve cognitive development
• increase social and language skills
• enhance physical fitness
• help prevent low self-esteem and anxiety
• (Veldman, Jones, Okely, 2016)

Regardless of your toddler’s natural abilities, (we are not all born sports stars) gross motor skills will help your child succeed and grow in all areas of development.

Playing outdoors is one of the best ways to encourage gross motor play, but that isn’t always possible due to bad weather. Toddlers need to exercise their bodies everyday and sometimes being stuck indoors can lead toddlers to get a little stir crazy!

These 20 toddler activities are perfect for rainy days and encouraging gross motor development indoors!

20 Gross Motor Toddler Activities for Indoor Play

1. Sock Toss by Joyful Bunny

Your toddler will love this quick activity from items already in your home!

Grab some socks and ball them up, like you normally would to keep them together. Get your clothes hamper, a bucket, or tape a piece of paper to the floor for an easy target.

Ta da! A quick activity to help your toddler practice their aim and a safe choice for throwing inside!

2. Kid Friendly Dance Songs to Get You Moving by My Mommy Style

3. Hide and Go Seek

4. Magnetic Fishing Game by Craftulate

5. Masking Tape Roads for Kids by Living Well Mom

6. Toddler Obstacle Course by Little Learning Club

7. Gross Motor Farm Game by Modern Preschool

8. Hunt for Hearts a Valentine’s Day Scavenger Hunt by Hands On as We Grow

9. Pool Noodle Balance Bean by Toddler at Play

10. Balloon Olympics: 7 Sports Kids Can Play with Balloons by Entertain Your Toddler

11. Paper Plate Ring Toss Game by A Little Learning for Two

12. Bubble Wrap Stomp Painting by Mess for Less

13. Simon Says

14. 6 Yoga Poses Toddlers Can Do by Nerdy Mamma

15. 5 Different Activities for 6 Lines of Tape by Hands on As We Grow

16. Building Blocks: Toddler STEM Activity by Busy Toddler

17. Garage Toss Gross Motor Rainy Day Play by Days with Grey

18. 10 Best Songs for Gross Motor Movement by Let’s Play Music

19. Make a Bubble Wrap Runway for Kids of All Ages by Hands On As We Grow

20. 10 Ball Games for Kids- Ideas for Active Play Indoors by Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls