Toys Build Physical Skills
by The Genius of Play Team
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In play, kids build physical skills including:
- Fine-motor skills
- Gross-motor skills
- Hand-eye coordination
- Balance
- Physical awareness
From the small muscles required to move a toothbrush to the large muscle groups kids need to kick a ball, physical play is an essential part of helping little people grow into happy, healthy and independent big people. Plus, active play helps kids use up energy so they can focus more, eat healthier and sleep better!
Check out our list of cool toys that encourage kids to give their growing bodies a workout - and have fun!
Little Tikes 3-N-1 Sports Zone
Ages 1+
The Little Tikes 3-N-1 Sports Zone brings 3 kid-favorite sports: basketball, soccer and bowling down to your child’s level so they can dunk, kick and score! The basketball hoop features an adjustable height so it can grow with your child. Kids will love to play with friends, or even alone. The backboard lights up and features more than 75 sounds and phrases to give them feedback and praise on their game! The entire set folds down for easy storage.
What kids learn from play with Little Tikes 3-N-1 Sports Zone: Studies have shown active kids are more likely to become active adults, decreasing their risk of heart disease and obesity. Plus, play with toys like the Little Tikes 3-N-1 Sports Zone helps preschoolers build core muscle strength. Not only is core strength important for posture and overall health, but kids will also use those same muscles to sit in a chair at a desk in school.
Radio Flyer Ultimate Go-Kart
Ages 3-8
Every kid dreams of having a go-kart at home. Your child will love zooming around at the top speed of 8 mph, using the large rear tires for ultimate drifting action, and racing around the neighborhood with Radio Flyer’s Ultimate Go-Kart.
What kids learn from play with Radio Flyer Ultimate Go-Kart: How fast can your child GO? In play with toys like the Radio Flyer Ultimate Go-Kart, kids get experience taking safe risks which are just outside of their comfort zone. When kids challenge themselves to go faster or stop harder, they are learning the limits of their own physical boundaries and building self-confidence along the way!
Pick Up Pete by Fotorama USA
Ages 4+
Pick Up Pete is a fun game that requires quick thinking - and a quicker hand! The star of the game is Pete, an adorable, motorized jalopy with an empty truck bed. As Pete drives around wildly, kids take turns stacking the colorful chairs in his truck bed as high as they can go. When the chairs fall kids need to quickly pick up their color and keep on stacking.
What kids learn from play with Pick Up Pete: Stacking toys and games like Pick Up Pete build fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. As kids work to put blocks, building bricks, or other pieces together correctly, they must use a level of care and physical awareness that isn’t required for every type of play.
PJ Masks Transforming 2 in 1 Mobile HQ by Just Play
Ages 3+
The PJ Masks 2-in-1 Transforming Mobile HQ features two playsets in one. Kids will love recreating their favorite episodes by transforming the PJ Masks Headquarters into the PJ Seeker. As the Headquarters, the Mobile HQ stands 3-feet tall and features five levels of play. Kids can use the lights and sounds control board on the fourth level to find their mission, just like the PJ Masks! The playset includes one poseable Catboy figure and one Cat-Car.
What kids learn from play with the PJ Masks Transforming 2 in 1 Mobile HQ: Playsets like the PJ Masks Transforming 2 in 1 Mobile HQ encourage play that builds fine motor skills. When kids manipulate action figures, and work with the tiny pieces within the playset, they naturally use the pincer grasp - the same small hand movements they will use later to hold a pen or pencil. Moving a PJ mask character through the Mobile HQ also strengthens the small muscles in the wrist. Which is the same muscle group kids use to dress themselves, and use a fork and spoon.
Playmobil Back to the Future DeLorean
Ages 6+
The Playmobil Back to the Future DeLorean brings a childhood-favorite to life! The iconic DeLorean has many of the same features as the car in the movie, including folding wheels for hover mode, doors which open upwards, an illuminated flux capacitor inside and illuminated exterior. Also included is plutonium, which can be inserted at the back of the vehicle. There is even a tiny Marty McFly and Doc Brown dressed in their outfits from 1985.
What kids learn from play with Playmobil Back to the Future DeLorean: All the tiny, realistic features of the Playmobil Back to the Future DeLorean can give your child’s fine motor skills a workout. Folding the wheels, closing the car doors, and positioning Marty McFly or Doc Brown behind the wheel are all part of the fun of this set - and are also activities that will help your child build up the strength in their hand muscles, and develop hand-eye coordination. It’s why pediatric occupational therapists use play to help children with incoordination.
Power Treads by WowWee
Ages 5+
If your kids love vehicles and building toys, they will love Power Treads by WowWee, the all-surface vehicles kids build and unleash! Kids can build these all-surface vehicles with super grippy treads and then watch as they flip, grip, and roll all over the house. Kids can also use the Power Treads Tracks Set to create ramps, bridges and more.
What kids learn from play with Power Treads: Power Treads can help kids work on their fine motor and gross motor skills. Attaching the small pieces gives small fingers a workout and chasing their vehicle through the house builds gross motor skills.
Check out all of our free play ideas that build physical skills for kids of all ages!