DIY Movement Activity For Toddlers
With Free Printable
Are you looking for easy yet fun ways to entertain your toddler? Then this DIY movement activity for toddlers is for you. You’ll find all you need for this DIY toy in this post, including a free printable!
This post is about a DIY movement activity for toddlers.
“There should be an energy drink called 6AM Toddler.” —Simon Holland
Every child is different that’s for sure, yet we can probably all agree that most toddlers love to move. They keep practicing their walking skills. Testing their bodies’ limits and often the parents’ patience as well. Trying to balance on objects which were not meant to be stood on. Climbing on sofas and trying to jump off them. Lifting and stomping their legs and so much more.
Therefore, creative movement activities are great for toddlers and can be played both indoors and outdoors.
The DIY movement activity for toddlers that I want to show you today is super simple yet so much fun for the little ones. You just need a few things, which you probably already have at home, and you’re good to go!
“The fastest land mammal is a toddler who’s been asked what’s in their mouth.” —Ramblin Mama
So without further ado let’s get started with the DIY.
“Kids: they dance before they learn there is anything that isn’t music.” – William Stafford
DIY Movement Activity
What you will need:
- empty tea box (or any other small box)
- white paper
- clear tape (or laminator)
- scissors
- printer (or magazine cutouts)optional: tissue paper
“Toddlers are active explorers. They eagerly try new things and use materials in different ways. Toddlers want to be independent and they have a strong sense of ownership.” -Janet Gonzalez-Mena
DIY movement activity for toddlers instruction:
- Stuff your box of choice with tissue paper, close it, and then put tape over any gaps.
- If your box has writing or pictures on it you’ll want to cover those up with a sheet of white (or colored) paper.
- You can make the box a little bit more sturdy by wrapping it with clear packaging tape.
- Get the movement pictures ready.
Count how many sides your box has (most likely 6) and prepare an according amount of pictures portraying movement. You can either print those out (download your free pictures below) or cut pictures out of a magazine.
Choose movements that your child will most likely be able to copy or at least would be willing to try to copy.
Examples: touching certain body parts, jumping jacks, throwing or kicking a ball, crawling, laying down on their back, and lifting their legs. It doesn’t just have to be a position it could be an entire activity like walking up a set of stairs. - Now either laminate your pictures first or simply glue them onto your box and put clear packaging tape over it to make sure it’s more durable.
“When kids hit one year old, it’s like hanging out with a miniature drunk. You have to hold onto them. They bump into things. They laugh and cry. They urinate. They vomit.” – Johnny Depp.
Other toddler activities you might like:
How to play
Simply let your child throw the box. Which picture is most visible to you guys now? Copy that move!
“
The fundamental job of a toddler is to rule the universe.” —Lawerence Kutner
You can be as creative with it as you want. Either let your toddler throw the box (which I’m sure they’ll love to do) and see what picture will show on top or place the box on a side of your choice and help your toddler copy the pose/activity that’s most visible to you now.
Depending on the age and engagement of your kiddo you can first show them the move and let them copy you or they can figure it out themselves.
The first time we played it, I was doing all the moves together with my son. The next days he picked up the box himself. Threw it and started to copy the images. That’s actually what inspired me to create this box in the first place.
One day he was looking at a book, stood up, and started lifting his leg up. I was wondering what he was up to, I looked at the book and saw a picture of a boy lifting his leg.
I know this activity is super basic, but come on be honest…how many posts, videos, and pins with toddler activities have you saved but never done? Cause they would take too much time or require you to use items you don’t have at hand.
For toddlers, imitating others indicates they are starting to learn more about themselves and develop independence — a major step in their developmental progress. – Sanford Health
Kids love to move, kids love to mimic others, and kids love to play. That’s how they grow and learn and this activity is perfect for that. The best part is you don’t need to spend any money, and it’s a really simple DIY. Not one of those that look so good when someone else does it but you know exactly that you’ll never have the time to make it yourself.
“I wasn’t really that informed about the two-year-old. Oh, I’d read about them, and occasionally I’d see documentaries on the Discovery Channel showing two-year-olds in the wild, where they belong.” —Ray Romano
You can use the box indoors and outdoors as you can easily take it with you to the playground or a family picnic.
Worst case scenario? Your toddler won’t really be into this activity. So what? You didn’t have to spend too much time and money on it anyway, so it’s worth the shot, and most likely, they will love it!
DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE PRINTABLE BELOW!
Click the link below to open your free PDF in a new tab!
“Being pregnant and having a toddler, as every parent says, is amazing. You’re very tired, but it’s so wonderful.”
