Instruct all the toddlers to hold onto the sides of a large sheet or a parachute purchased from a retailer specializing in school supplies. Give instructions such as lifting the parachute up, and then lowering it down for toddlers to learn these simple concepts. Throw a few teddy bears on the parachute and let the toddlers give them a ride. For more practice following directions, call out a student's name and that student can run under the parachute when it is lifted.
Children of all ages love the Hokey Pokey, and if adults are unfamiliar with the song, it is a popular one on many children's CDs. Adults and toddlers can gather in a circle and follow the directions of the song, by putting different body parts in and out of the circle. According to KidsHealth, children will enjoy the interaction while they learn body parts such as arms, legs and head.
Toddlers need opportunity to practice motor skills and a gym is a perfect place to set up an obstacle course that will require balance and coordination. A small board or piece of tape on the floor can create a balance beam to walk across, and a large box can be used to create a tunnel to crawl through. Arrange several hula hoops on the floor and see if toddlers can run through them by putting one foot in each hoop. In another section children can ride a tricycle or scooter. Soft carpets or mats can be used for somersaults and tumbling. Arrange a short course and then add to it and mix it up every week for a fun event.
In the classic game of Musical Chairs, a section of chairs is set up with one chair less than the number of children. Children walk around the chairs, listening to music, and when the music stops, children dash for a chair. Whoever is left without a chair is out of the game. Preschool Rainbow suggests creating a "No-Lose Musical Chairs" for toddlers where teachers have a chair for each child so that no one loses, which makes the game just as fun and more appropriate for this age.
Gather toddlers in a circle and start to teach them some classic circle games. With some space to run, toddlers can learn Duck, Duck, Goose where one child taps children on the head, and when she calls out "Goose!" that child needs to try to run around the circle and catch the person who was it before she gets back to the goose's seat.
Games Kids Play suggests Hot Potato as a fun game where children pass an object while music plays. Whoever is holding the object when the music stops is out.
Ring Around the Rosie is another popular toddler game to play in a circle. Young children love the thrill of falling down at the end of the rhyme.
In a large open space, Follow the Leader is an excellent game for teaching toddlers motor skills and following directions. An adult leader can make motions such as jumping, hopping or balancing on one foot and toddlers should try to imitate these movements. Commands such as "Tap your nose" or "Wiggle your ears" will also reinforce learning body parts.