Summer Essentials: Top Gross Motor Toys for Summer
A pediatric PT-approved guide to toys that build balance, coordination, strength, and motor planning through play
Summer is the perfect time for kids to stay active while building skills through play. The right toys can combine fun and motor development by helping children improve strength, balance, coordination, motor planning, and overall confidence in movement. Whether your child is learning foundational movement skills, improving agility and ball skills, or exploring sensory-rich outdoor play, choosing developmentally supportive toys can make a big impact. As pediatric physical therapists, we recommend these play-based toys and activities that encourage active play while promoting key motor skills throughout every stage of development.
Keeping Cool Indoors
Summertime in Miami can be HOT! While outdoor play is important, there are plenty of opportunities to support gross motor development indoors while staying cool. Below are some of our favorite toys for creating an indoor obstacle course kit. Arranging these toys into a fun and challenging obstacle course is an excellent way to promote balance, coordination, postural control, body awareness, stability, and problem-solving skills.
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Play tip: Turn your obstacle course into a game of Floor is Lava! Arrange the stepping stones, balance beam, crawl tunnel, foam blocks, and mini trampoline around the room and challenge your child to move through the course without touching the "lava" (the floor). Place a special pair of "lava shoes" at the end of the course that your child can put on once they safely reach the finish line!
Sensory & Water Play
Combining sensory and water play with movement is a fun and effective way to support gross motor development. When movement is paired with sensory experiences, children are often more engaged and motivated to practice important gross motor skills. Activities that combine movement with sensory input help strengthen coordination, balance, body awareness, and motor planning while creating a powerful foundation for physical, cognitive, and social-emotional development. Here are a few of our favorite picks for creating engaging sensory and water play experiences that encourage active play, exploration, and gross motor skill development.
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Play tip: Put some fun music on and play "Pop the Bubbles" by encouraging your child to reach high, squat low, or jump over obstacles to pop bubbles, promoting hand-eye coordination, balance, and lower-body strength.
Get Outside & Move
Summer break is the perfect time to get outside and move! Outdoor play provides excellent opportunities for children to build strength, balance, coordination, endurance, and confidence while exploring and having fun. These outdoor toys help keep kids moving while supporting gross motor development through fun, movement-based activities.
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- Agility Cones and Rings
- Ball Sports - Basketball Hoop, T-Ball Set, Soccer Goal, Velcro Catch-and-Throw Set
- Balance Bike/Scooter
- Ninja line, Climbing Dome, Inflatable Water Slide (if you’re looking for a fun backyard splurge)
Play tip: Set up a backyard "Summer Movement Challenge!" Create stations using agility cones, a balance bike or scooter, a ball activity (soccer goal, basketball hoop, or T-ball set), and a climbing obstacle. Challenge your child to complete each station, and use a timer to see if they can beat their best score each round.
*This article contains affiliate links. Lemon City Collective makes a small commission from purchases through these links. All commissions help fund our mission.
Author: Nicole Willis, PT, DPT
Doctor of Physical Therapy at Lemon City Collective
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