Preschool Large Movement Games

Watch Out for Icebergs

• Challenge preschoolers' leg-stretching abilities with a fun obstacle path. Cut out several white shapes that look like icebergs. Also, cover some boxes or other containers with white paper. Arrange the icebergs and ice blocks in a path so the children have to step over them to get through. To play the game, have the kids follow the path, hopping over the flat icebergs and stepping carefully over the tall ones.

Pillow Fight

• Provide some arm-stretching activity with a safe pillow fight. Place a soft stuffed animal inside a large pillow case for each child. The kids can use the majority of the pillow case for a handle, with just a little bit of "hitting" surface at the bottom. Instruct the kids not to hit in the face. In place of hitting other children during a pillow fight game, have the kids hit targets such as trash cans, clothes baskets, cardboard boxes and big stuffed animals.

No-water Swimming

• Do this whole-body activity while pretending to swim with the children. Indoors or on a soft outdoor surface, have the kids stand with plenty of room between each one. Stand, sit or lie on the ground to do various swimming strokes. Try kicking feet, moving arms in a crawl stroke or back stroke, learning the movements of the breast stroke and also the more difficult butterfly stroke. Play some music to liven up the activity, or play a CD of water sounds.

Safe Balloon Bop

• Play a game that stretches the upper body while also developing coordination. Instead of the latex balloons that are not safe for preschool and younger children, use a Mylar balloon. Whether the balloon is filled with helium or plain air, these balloons will float away easily. Tie a sturdy ribbon to the tail of the balloon. Tie the other end of the balloon around a pillow or something else soft so knees and ankles don't get bruised.

  Divide the class into groups of four or five children. Each group will need a balloon and "anchor." A child will bop the balloon, which will cause it to quickly move away from the child. Each child will take turns bopping the balloon as it comes near them.

Blanket Play

• An old blanket easily becomes a play item that can be used for various active games. Have the kids play "Ring Around the Rosy" while they hold the blanket edges. Play some favorite parachute games with the less expensive old blanket.

  Have some of the children sit on the blanket while the rest of the group pull the blanket around like a wagon.

  Play tug of war.