Get moving
For the energy that has to go somewhere. Most of these work in an ordinary room, and none of them need equipment.
47 activities
By age
47 ideas
Gentle Bicycle Legs
During a nappy change, hold your baby's feet and move their legs in a slow cycling motion while you chat to them.
0 mo – 9 mo · 2 min · At home · Gentle · No materials
Almost Within Reach
Put a light, safe object just close enough for your baby to reach. Let them work at it, and cheer the moment they touch it.
3 mo – 9 mo · 5 min · At home · Gentle
Your Turn
Sit facing each other and gently roll a large soft ball back and forth. Give your child a chance to start the turn too.
6 mo – 2 yr · 5 min · At home · Active
Where Did It Go?
Hide your face behind a light cloth, wait a beat, then come back with a smile. Let your baby pull the cloth away when they start reaching for it.
4 mo – 18 mo · 5 min · Anywhere · Gentle
Clap, Then Wait
Clap twice, then stop and look at your baby. If they move, wiggle or make a sound, treat it as their turn and clap back.
5 mo – 20 mo · 2 min · Anywhere · Gentle · No materials
Under the Towel
Hold a towel up like a low roof and encourage your baby to move underneath it towards you.
7 mo – 18 mo · 5 min · At home · Active
The Laundry Postman
Hand your child one safe piece of clothing at a time and carry it to the basket together. Let them decide which item goes next.
9 mo – 3 yr · 10 min · At home · Gentle
Moving on the Grass
If your child is already moving about, let them crawl or walk on grass or a soft uneven surface. It is slower and stranger than the floor at home, and that is the interesting part.
8 mo – 2 yr · 10 min · Outdoors · Active · No materials
You're the Leader
For a moment, copy the movements your child makes. Then make one movement yourself and see whether they want to copy you.
12 mo – 6 yr · 5 min · Anywhere · Gentle · No materials
Walk Like a Bear
Cross the room as a bear, then a cat, then a bird. Let your child choose the next animal.
20 mo – 5 yr · 5 min · Anywhere · Active · No materials
Build It, Knock It
Stack three or four safe objects together, then let your child knock them down. Knocking down is the good part.
12 mo – 3 yr · 5 min · At home · Gentle
The Cardboard Car
Turn a cardboard box into a car, a boat or a bus and go somewhere together. Ask your child where you are heading.
2 yr – 5 yr · 15 min · At home · Gentle
A Proper Hello
When someone comes home, stop what you are doing and greet them together — a wave, a hug, a shout of their name.
12 mo – 6 yr · 2 min · At home · Gentle · No materials
Hide and Seek, Small Version
Hide somewhere very obvious in the room and let your child find you. Make a small sound if they need a clue.
18 mo – 5 yr · 10 min · At home · Gentle · No materials
Count as We Go
Count the steps out loud together as you climb the stairs. Whatever number you reach is the right one.
2 yr – 5 yr · 2 min · Anywhere · Gentle · No materials
Whose Plane Goes Further?
Fold two simple paper planes and throw them from the same spot. Try again with one small change.
3 yr – 6 yr · 15 min · Anywhere · Gentle
Loud Line, Quiet Line
Sing one line of a song loudly and the next one almost in a whisper. Let your child decide which line is which.
2 yr – 6 yr · 5 min · Anywhere · Gentle · No materials
Sway Together
Hold your baby close and sway slowly from side to side, humming whatever comes to mind.
0 mo – 12 mo · 5 min · Anywhere · Gentle · No materials
The Kitchen Drum
Turn a plastic bowl upside down and let your baby pat it with an open hand. Join in with a slow beat they can follow.
6 mo – 2 yr · 5 min · At home · Gentle
Along the Sofa
If your child is already pulling up to stand, sit a little way along the sofa and invite them to make their way to you.
8 mo – 16 mo · 5 min · At home · Active · No materials
Kick It Back
Stand a few steps apart and take turns kicking a soft ball to each other. Cheer the attempt, not the accuracy.
18 mo – 5 yr · 10 min · Anywhere · Active
Dance, Then Freeze
Play or hum some music and dance together. Stop the sound suddenly and everybody freezes until it starts again.
2 yr – 6 yr · 10 min · At home · Active · No materials
Puddle Stomping
Put on boots and jump in a puddle together. Count the jumps out loud if your child enjoys that.
20 mo – 6 yr · 10 min · Outdoors · Active · No materials
Driving to the Shop
Push a toy car or a small box along the floor and say where it is going. Let your child decide what it collects and bring it back.
18 mo – 3 yr · 5 min · At home · Gentle
Count Five Things Outside
On a walk, agree what you are counting — trees, red cars, birds — and count until you reach five.
2 yr – 6 yr · 10 min · Outdoors · Gentle · No materials
Two Minutes of Tidying
Pick one small area and tidy it together for two minutes, then stop whether or not it is finished.
2 yr – 6 yr · 2 min · At home · Gentle · No materials
The Slowest Race
Race across the room to see who can move the slowest without stopping. The last one there wins.
3 yr – 6 yr · 5 min · Anywhere · Gentle · No materials
Copy My Rhythm
Clap a short pattern and let your child copy it. Then let them set one and you copy — theirs is allowed to be impossible.
20 mo – 6 yr · 5 min · Anywhere · Gentle · No materials
Up and Down, Slowly
Hold your baby securely and lift them slowly up and gently back down, saying "up" and "down" as you go.
3 mo – 15 mo · 2 min · Anywhere · Gentle · No materials
Come and Find Me
If your child is already moving about on the floor, crawl slowly a short way and look back. Let them come to you, then make a fuss when they arrive.
7 mo – 16 mo · 5 min · At home · Active · No materials
Chase Your Shadow
On a sunny day, find your shadows and try to make them wave, jump or grow taller.
2 yr – 6 yr · 10 min · Outdoors · Gentle · No materials
Slowly, Then Quickly
Walk across the room as slowly as you both can, then as quickly as is safe. Let your child call which one is next.
18 mo – 4 yr · 5 min · Anywhere · Active · No materials
One Song, Two Actions
Pick a song you both know and give it two hand actions — a clap and a wave. Do the same two every time you sing it.
14 mo – 5 yr · 5 min · Anywhere · Gentle · No materials
Aim for the Basket
Put a basket a few steps away and take turns tossing rolled-up socks into it. Move closer or further to keep it fun.
2 yr – 6 yr · 10 min · At home · Active
Only When I Say It Twice
Give simple actions — hands up, turn around — but only do them when you say it twice. Getting caught out is the joke, not a mistake.
3 yr – 6 yr · 10 min · Anywhere · Gentle · No materials
You Are In Charge of One Thing
On a short errand you are doing anyway, give your child one job for the whole trip — carrying the bag, or remembering what you came for.
2 yr – 6 yr · 15 min · Outdoors · Gentle · No materials
Push It Along
If your child is already pulling up to stand, give them a sturdy box or a dining chair to push along the floor at their own pace.
9 mo – 20 mo · 5 min · At home · Active
Catch the Bubbles
Blow bubbles and let your child chase and pop them. Blow them low and slow for younger children.
14 mo – 5 yr · 10 min · Anywhere · Active
Tap the Beat on Your Knees
Sing or play a song you both like and tap the beat on your knees. Let your child tap wherever they like, at whatever speed.
16 mo – 4 yr · 5 min · Anywhere · Gentle · No materials
Build an Obstacle Course
Use cushions, a chair and a blanket to make a short course. Let your child design at least one part of it.
2 yr – 6 yr · 15 min · At home · Active
Dance Your Name
Clap out the beats in each person's name, then invent a small movement for each beat.
3 yr – 6 yr · 10 min · Anywhere · Gentle · No materials
Walk the Line
Lay a length of tape or a scarf on the floor and walk along it heel to toe, arms out.
2 yr – 6 yr · 5 min · At home · Gentle
Dig and See
Find a patch of soil outside and dig a small hole together. Look at what you find, then fill it back in.
2 yr – 6 yr · 15 min · Outdoors · Gentle
Make a Shaker
Put a spoonful of rice in a small bottle and close the lid tightly. Shake it along to a song you both know.
2 yr – 6 yr · 10 min · At home · Gentle
Run to the Tree and Back
In an open space, pick something to run to and back from. Let your child choose the target and start you both off.
2 yr – 6 yr · 10 min · Outdoors · Active · No materials
Along the Low Wall
Find a low wall, kerb or log and walk along it holding your hand. Let your child set the pace and get down whenever they want.
2 yr – 6 yr · 10 min · Outdoors · Active · No materials
How Far Can You Jump?
Outside, mark a starting line with a stick or a shoe and jump forward from it. Mark where you land and take turns trying again.
3 yr – 6 yr · 10 min · Outdoors · Active · No materials