Take time to enjoy play outdoors at least 20 minutes each day. Shorter times spread throughout the day work well and can be a way to take some instructional activities to new settings. Below are more ideas to do indoors or outdoors to help children be active.

1. Draw the name of an animal or insect out of a hat. Then have the children move around the yard mimicking the creature and demonstrating how the creature moves from one place to the next, finds food, sleeps, stays safe, etc.
2. Throw a lightweight scarf or dish towel in the air and have children catch it.
3. Set up a simple obstacle course by placing chairs or pillows around the room. Toddlers can practice crawling over or walking around the obstacle course.
4. Encourage toddlers to practice jumping across the room or around chairs.

For more information about supporting a child’s development, visit helpmegrowmn.org. Tips can be found in the Encouraging Healthy Development section of the website.

Portions of this content, developed by Help Me Grow Minnesota, may have previously appeared elsewhere.