Gross Motor Activities in Sand and Water

Gross motor skills are skills that begin to develop during early childhood and are acquired by using the large muscles in your body. Gross motor skills enable our bodies to perform several functions, such as clapping, kicking, lifting, running, throwing and walking. Children need to develop their gross motor skills to successfully participate in the physical and social activities in school and along with their peers. Sand and water is a fun and educational way for children to work and development their gross motor skills while learning at the same time.

Pouring

• Gross motor skills can be developed through pouring tasks with plastic scoops, shovels and bowls. Start by having your child scoop dry sand with a plastic shovel, then pour it into a bowl or bucket. This activity will help work muscles in the arms and hands, as well as promote eye-hand coordination. Have your children pour the sand out of the bucket and watch it splatter. Kids enjoy emptying contents, and this will again work the arm and hand muscles.

Playing with Wet Sand

• Wet sand weighs and acts differently than dry sand. Children can use wet sand to scoop, create sand sculptures and mounds, and break down their creation. This activity is ideal for developing gross motor skills as well as teaching children the difference between weight differences. Have your child scoop up dry sand in one bucket, then wet sand in the other so that they can experience the difference in weight.

Water Activities

• Water helps children develop gross motor skills as well as eye-hand coordination. Water activities can be done at home with a kitchen sink or in the bathtub. Fill the sink or tub with enough water so that your child can fill up a bucket of water, then pour it out. Place floatable toys such as toy boats or rubber duckies and allow your child to push the toys underwater, and watch while they float up. These activities not only work the arm muscles, but also teach children the differences between objects that float and sink. Be certain, however, to always supervise your child during water play.

Digging and Hidden Objects

• Children digging in sand for hidden objects helps work the arm and leg muscles and also provides a fun and educational activity. Start by burying objects and toys in various places under the sand, then have your child dig away until the objects are found. This activity can also help children with thinking and problem-solving abilities as they uncover various areas looking for the buried treasures.