Body Awareness - Page 7 of 9

Newspaper Nest Foot Deliver

Steps:

Crumple several sheets of newspaper into large, loose balls with your child.
Place a basket on a rug at one end of the room.
Put the newspaper balls in a pile a few feet away from the basket.
Have your child sit on a pillow on the floor, facing the basket.
Encourage them to lean back and brace themselves with their hands behind them.
Challenge them to pick up one newspaper ball using only their feet.
They must lift their legs carefully and drop the ball into the basket.
See how many nests they can deliver without using their hands!

Safety Tip:
Ensure the floor is not slippery and the area is clear of sharp furniture corners.

The Heavy Balloon Balance Walk

Steps:

Blow up a balloon and tie it for your child.
Use masking tape to create a long, straight path on the floor.
Ask your child to stand at the start of the line.
Have them hold the balloon in front of them with both hands.
Place one bean bag on top of the balloon.
Challenge them to walk along the tape line.
They must keep the bean bag from sliding off the balloon!
If the bag falls, they should stop, reset, and try again.

Safety Tip:
Ensure the walking path is clear of furniture and trip hazards to prevent falls while your child is looking at the balloon.

The Sticky Plate Step

Steps:

Place six paper plates in a line on a smooth floor.
Use masking tape to secure the plates to the floor so they do not move.
Put several loops of masking tape on top of each plate with the sticky side facing up.
Ask your child to take off their shoes and socks.
Have them walk slowly across the plates, feeling their feet stick to the tape.
Encourage them to lift their knees high to pull their feet away from the sticky surface!

Safety Tip:
Choking Hazard. This activity uses masking tape which can be torn into small pieces. Always supervise your child closely. Ensure the plates are taped down firmly to prevent slipping.

The Heavy Cargo Foot Push

Steps:

Place a large cardboard box on a smooth floor surface like wood or tile.
Ask your toddler to help fill the box with their favorite stuffed animals.
Have your child sit on the floor with their back against a sturdy wall or couch.
Place the weighted box directly in front of their feet.
Encourage them to bend their knees and push the box away using both feet.
See how far the cargo can go with one big push!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play. Ensure the floor is clear of any small objects that could be a trip hazard. Check the stuffed animals for small buttons or eyes that could be a choking hazard if they become loose.

Balloon Waddle Race

Steps:

Use masking tape to make a straight path on a smooth floor.
Blow up a balloon and tie it for your child.
Ask your child to stand at one end of the path.
Place the balloon between their knees.
They must squeeze it to keep it in place.
Have them walk along the tape line to the finish.
If the balloon drops, they should reset and try again!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise children around balloons. Broken balloon pieces are a choking hazard. If a balloon pops, pick up the pieces immediately.