Most young children love getting messy, and painting with their hands and feet helps them learn to explore their bodies. Paint outside if possible, or spread large sheets of paper out on a floor that can be cleaned easily. Use a paintbrush to paint each child's hands and feet; then let children experiment with walking on paper or creating hand prints. Painting can also teach children about colors. Once they've covered the paper with one color, paint them with another shade and let them keep walking on the paper. They'll learn which colors mix to create new shades.
Kicking a ball helps young children learn coordination and control. Use a large ball such as a kickball or beach ball. Let children warm up by kicking a ball back and forth. Then move on to playing some kicking games. Draw a large masking-tape rectangle on a wall and challenge children to kick the ball into the "goal" from several feet away. Set up two boxes or plastic cones across the room from one another and ask children to walk from one to the other, slowly kicking the ball along as they walk.
Music can teach young children about rhythm and creativity. Create your own band by making your own instruments. Children can make drums out of empty coffee cans or oatmeal containers, or make guitars from shoe boxes. Remove the box lids and wrap rubber bands around the boxes. Make shakers by filling small plastic containers with beads or dry beans and rice. Once each child has an instrument, put on a song and let children try to play along.
This game will not only make children giggle, but it helps them build coordination and learn the names of their body parts. Start by playing the traditional version of "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes." Children must touch each body part as they sing it. Create new versions using different body parts. For instance, play "Elbows, Ears, Shins and Hips" or "Noses, Stomachs, Chins and Thighs." With each new version, start off slowly while children learn the order, then speed up each time you repeat the song.