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15 Arts and Crafts Activities to Boost Gross Motor Skills in Children

craftsyminds
Jul 5, 20243 min read

Gross motor skill in toddlers

Arts and crafts are fantastic ways to foster creativity in children, but they can also play a significant role in developing gross motor skills. Here are 15 engaging activities that blend fun and physical development, perfect for helping your children improve their gross motor skills.



Activities to Boost Gross Motor Skills in Children



Steps

  1. Set up a large canvas or paper on an easel or on the floor.

  2. Provide large paintbrushes and a palette of paints.

  3. Encourage children to paint broad strokes, covering the entire surface.


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  1. Give children a lump of clay or playdough.

  2. Encourage them to knead, roll, and shape the clay into different forms.


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  1. Provide sidewalk chalk

  2. Encourage children to draw large pictures, write words, or create hopscotch grids on the pavement


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  1. Provide children with colorful paper and safety scissors

  2. Guide them to cut out shapes or tear paper into strips


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Steps

  1. Provide a large piece of paper or cardboard as the base.

  2. Offer various materials like fabric, paper, and leaves for sticking.

  3. Encourage children to create a collage by gluing or taping materials onto the base.


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Steps

  1. Set up a large piece of paper on a wall or fence

  2. Provide paints and large brushes or rollers

  3. Encourage children to paint a mural, using wide and large strokes


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Steps

  1. Provide large beads and thick strings

  2. Show children how to thread beads onto the strings


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  1. Provide stamps or stencils and ink pads or paints.

  2. Encourage children to press stamps or use stencils to create patterns on large sheets of paper.


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  1. Provide large blocks or cardboard boxes.

  2. Encourage children to build structures by stacking and arranging the materials.


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  1. Take children on a nature walk to collect materials like leaves, sticks, and rocks.

  2. Use these materials to create art projects, such as leaf rubbings or rock paintings.


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  1. Provide materials like paper plates, markers, and decorations.

  2. Guide children to decorate their masks and cut out eye holes.

  3. Encourage them to wear the masks and act out stories.


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Steps

  1. Set up a large loom or use a hula hoop with strings.

  2. Provide yarn or fabric strips for weaving.

  3. Show children how to weave over and under the strings.


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Steps

  1. Lay out a large sheet of bubble wrap and provide paint.

  2. Encourage children to dip their feet in paint and stomp on the bubble wrap to create prints.


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Steps

  1. Provide pom-poms and paint.

  2. Encourage children to dip the pom-poms in paint and dab or throw them onto a canvas.


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Steps

  1. Draw large dot-to-dot patterns on a big piece of paper or poster board.

  2. Encourage children to connect the dots to complete the pictures.


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These activities are not only great for fostering artistic skills but also crucial for developing essential gross motor skills. So, next time you plan a craft session, incorporate some of these activities to ensure your child enjoys both creative and physical growth!

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