Can’t get outside to visit an aquarium or take a hike to see different animals in nature? The good news is – you can play pretend with your kids at home to mimic different animals out in the wild while burning some energy with gross motor activities!
Bear walk – Get down on your hands and feet, keeping your knees off the ground. Walk around the house and see who can make the loudest roars!
Crab walk – Get down on your hands and feet with your belly facing upward, keeping your bottom off the ground. Make a start and finish line to see who can make it across the fastest!
Snake slither – Get down on your belly on the ground and rock from side to side to slowly inch forward. Make some hisses as you go and shake that bottom to imitate shaking a rattlesnake tail!
Starfish jumps – Start in a standing position, then jump as high as you can and spread those arms and legs out into a star. See how many you can do before you need a break!
Flamingo stance – Start in a standing position, then lift up on leg and balance on one leg. Make it a competition and see who can keep their balance for longer!
Horse gallop – If you have a pool noodle or a stick (or anything similar), place it between your legs and hold onto it with one hand. Gallop around the house and make sure to neigh to add some sound effects! Even if you don’t have a prop, you can still perform this activity and just pretend.
Penguin waddle – Keep your hands at your side and your feet close together. Rock side to side just like a penguin would!
Dinosaur stomps – Keep those arms in front of you and stomp as big as you possibly can. See who can make the biggest stomps and add some roars to make it more fun!
Try some of these out at home and let us know what you think! You can also get creative and create some of your own for more variety!
Here are some other ideas as well – Animals Galore