Best Gross Motor Toys by Age

Gross motor skills are essential for kids’ physical development, helping them to build strength, coordination, and confidence. Selecting the right toys can significantly enhance this aspect of their growth by encouraging kids to participate in gross motor play activities.

I’m here to share some of the best gross motor toys, divided by age group, to help you choose the perfect options for your child.

In this post:

• Benefits of Gross Motor Toys
• Gross Motor Toys for Infants (0-12 Months)
• Gross Motor Toys for Toddlers (1-3 Years)
• Gross Motor Toys for Preschoolers (3-5 Years)
• Gross Motor Toys for Early Elementary Kids (5-7 Years)
• Gross Motor Toys for Older Kids (7+ Years)

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Benefits of Gross Motor Toys

Gross motor toys help to build gross motor skills are essential for kids’ overall physical development.

These skills involve the large muscles in the body and are crucial for performing everyday activities such as walking, running, jumping, and throwing.

Developing these skills helps kids:

• Build strength and endurance
• Improve balance and coordination
• Enhance spatial awareness and proprioception
• Boost confidence and self-esteem
• Foster social interaction through active play

Investing in the right gross motor toys can provide the necessary stimulation and challenge to help kids develop these critical skills.

Gross Motor Toys for Infants (0-12 Months)

During the first year of life, infants are rapidly developing their gross motor skills. Toys that encourage movement, reaching, and grasping are ideal.

1. Tummy Time Mat

A tummy-time play mat is the perfect place to lay your baby down and allow them to move freely! These mats encourage babies to lift their heads, strengthening neck and shoulder muscles.

This compact mat from Fisher Price works well for pre-crawling babies.

2. Soft Balls

Soft, textured balls are perfect for little hands to grab, squeeze, and roll. They help babies develop gross motor skills by encouraging them to crawl, reach, and chase after the balls, which promotes movement, balance, and coordination.

3. Lovevery Play Gym

This award-winning play gym from Lovevery is one of my favorites! It is super high quality and has 5 zones for kids to explore. It comes with 5 detachable toys, a play cover, 3 play cards, and a play guide.

The various hanging toys motivate infants to reach and kick, enhancing their coordination.

It’s a must-have gross motor toy for babies!

4. Pikler Triangle

A Pikler triangle is a wooden climbing structure designed for babies and toddlers to encourage free movement and physical development.

It improves motor skills in babies by allowing them to explore climbing, crawling, and balancing, which enhances their coordination, strength, and confidence.

• Check out all my favorite pikler triangles!

5. Crawling Tunnel

A pop-up tunnel promotes crawling and spatial awareness while being fun and easy to store. It can be used both indoors and outdoors to encourage babies to get moving.

6. Soft Play Equipment

Soft play equipment consists of padded, cushioned play structures designed to be safe for young kids to climb, crawl, and explore.

It encourages babies to get moving and build their motor skills by providing a safe environment to practice coordination, balance, and strength through active play.

• Check out all my favorite soft-play equipment for babies and toddlers.

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Gross Motor Toys for Toddlers (1-3 Years)

Toddlers are full of energy and curiosity, making this a crucial time to introduce toys that support their growing physical abilities.

1. Ride-On Toys

Ride-on toys are child-sized vehicles that kids can sit on and propel using their legs, which are excellent for gross motor development as they strengthen leg muscles, improve balance, and enhance coordination.

Here are my top 3 favorites:

2. Push and Pull Toys

Toys like wagons and pull-along animals encourage walking and coordination.

Here are two great options that work for indoor and outdoor use:

3. Jungle Gym

Small indoor or outdoor climbing structures or foam climbing sets provide safe opportunities for climbing and exploring. These structures help kids build their risk assessment skills while learning to move their bodies!

This jungle gym from Avenlur is one of my favorites for indoor play. It’s compact yet offers lots of ways to climb, slide, and swing.

Also check out:

• Best Kids Outdoor Climbers for all Ages and Budgets
• Best Kids Climbing Domes For Your Backyard

4. Balls of Different Sizes

Kicking, throwing, and chasing balls improve hand-eye coordination and gross motor skills.

5. Toddler Slides

Slides for toddlers are small, safe play structures that allow young kids to climb up and slide down, helping to develop their balance, coordination, and confidence through active play.

There are many great slides for all budget and space requirements!

Check out my favorite:

• dinosaur slides for kids
• indoor slides for kids

6. Sit n Spin

You might have had one of these growing up!

A Sit ‘n Spin is a fun, simple toy that kids sit on and manually spin around, which helps improve their balance, coordination, and core strength through dynamic motion and control.

7. Rocking Horse

This rocking horse is a great gross motor toy for kids because its natural rocking motion promotes balance, coordination, and muscle strength, encouraging physical activity and imaginative play.

8. Balance Bike

Balance bikes are a great first intro to biking for little ones! Toddlers can focus on lifting up their feet and working on their balance and steering without needing to worry about pedals.

The Strider Bike is one of my favorites for kids! It is lightweight and easy to maneuver, and the seat can be raised as kids grow.

• Check out all my favorite wooden balance bikes!

9. Bouncing Toy

Bouncing toys are super fun and enhance toddler gross motor skills by promoting balance, coordination, and leg strength through dynamic movement.

This unicorn bounce toy is easy to inflate and comes with a soft cover.

10. Animal Dice

Animal dice are a creative way to get kids moving. Simply roll the dice and move like the animal pictured!

The dice are extra fun to use as a family or in a group.

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Gross Motor Toys for Preschoolers (3-5 Years)

Preschoolers are refining their motor skills and love engaging in more complex physical activities.

1. Scooter

Scooters help improve balance and coordination while providing a fun way to move.

The LaScoota scooter is one of my favorites because of all its great features! It has a removable seat, light-up wheels, and adjustable handlebars. The lowest handlebar height is perfect for 3-year-olds and can be adjusted as they grow.

2. Mini Trampoline

Tampolines are great for burning off energy and enhancing leg strength and coordination.

The low height, enclosure net, and swing attachment make this trampoline perfect for young kids. Its small size also makes it a great indoor gross motor toy—perfect for rainy days at home!

3. Balance Beam

Balance beams aid in the development of kids’ coordination, stability, and core strength. They also improve focus and concentration as kids learn to control their movements and maintain their balance while navigating the beam.

Most balance beams fold up and can be kept out of the way when not in use!

• Check out all my favorite balance beams for kids!

4. Foam Pogo Jumper

Kids love figuring out how to use the foam pogo jumper and are pretty proud when they finally master it!

A foam pogo jumper provides kids with a fun way to improve their balance, coordination, and leg strength while offering a safe, low-impact way to practice jumping and develop gross motor skills.

5. Inflatable Bounce House

Buy a bounce house! It is 100% worth it! Kids will play for hours and hours, providing a safe and fun way to burn energy.

The Little Tikes bouce house is one of my favorites for kids! It is durable, inflates in less than a minute, and can be used inside or outside.

Check out all my favorite unicorn bounce houses!

6. Balance Board

A balance board is so simple and yet there are so many ways kids can use it!

It’s both a fun and beneficial tool for kids, enhancing their balance, coordination, and core strength while providing an engaging way to improve overall physical fitness and body awareness.

7. Dome Climber

A dome climber provides kids with an exciting way to develop their strength, coordination, and problem-solving skills as they navigate the structure. Kids love them!

It also promotes social interaction and teamwork as kids collaborate and play together on the versatile climbing frame.

• Check out all my favorite backyard dome climbers!

8. Scooter Board

Scooter boards are an excellent gross motor toy! They’re versatile platforms with wheels that kids can sit or lie on, propelling themselves using their hands and feet.

Through active, playful movement, scooter boards help improve gross motor skills, coordination, and upper body strength.

9. Balance Stepping Stones

Balance stepping stones for kids are small, textured platforms between which kids can step, jump, or hop. They help improve their balance, coordination, and agility while encouraging imaginative and active play.

Kids love using them to make obstacle courses and challenges both inside and outside!

10. Bucket Stilts

Bucket stilts offer a fun and challenging activity for kids, enhancing their balance, coordination, and leg strength as they walk on elevated platforms, fostering a sense of adventure and physical confidence.

I have watched these bring so much joy to my students as they work hard to master walking with the stilts!

11. Hopper Ball

Hopper balls are a blast for kids, letting them bounce around with glee while boosting their balance, coordination, and leg muscles. They’re a fantastic way for kids to burn off energy and have loads of fun.

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Gross Motor Toys for Early Elementary Kids (5-7 Years)

Kids in this age group are developing more advanced motor skills and enjoy toys that challenge them physically.

1. Bike

Learning to ride a bike is a significant milestone that improves balance, coordination, and confidence. It also gives kids a way to cruise around with their friends.

Consider heading to your local bike shop to learn more about what size bike your child might need. You can then easily find a great new bike online or look for used bikes on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace.

2. Jump Rope

Jump ropes are excellent for cardiovascular health and coordination. Kids enjoy the challenge of learning new tricks.

3. Hula Hoop

Hula hoops are a super fun way for kids to get moving, spinning around and showing off their skills while boosting their coordination and core strength.

They’re perfect for burning energy and having a blast.

4. Scooter

Scooters are an exciting way for kids to zip around, helping them build balance, coordination, and leg strength while having loads of fun. They’re great for outdoor adventures and burning off energy.

This fun scooter has light and adjustable handlebars that can be raised as your kids grow!

5. Outdoor Climber

An outdoor climber is a great play structure for kids. It offers endless fun while they climb, explore, and build their strength, coordination, and confidence. It’s perfect for encouraging active play and imaginative adventures outside.

• Check out all my favorite outdoor climbers to find the best one for your space and kids!

6. Frisbee

Playing with a frisbee is a fantastic way for kids to have fun outdoors. As they throw and catch, they improve their hand-eye coordination, agility, and teamwork skills. It’s perfect for active play and friendly games.

The Activ Flyer discs are one of my favorites! They’re super easy for kids to catch and throw.

7. Swing Set

If you have the space, add a swingset and make your backyard the intimate neighborhood hangout!

A swingset with a slide and various climbing features offers kids a multi-functional play structure that promotes physical fitness, coordination, and strength. It’s perfect for active play, letting kids swing, slide, and climb to their hearts’ content while enjoying outdoor adventures.

While the Backyard Discovery swingset is pricey, its quality helps it last for years to come! Its multiple slides, climbing wall, two-story playhouse, and swings offer kids lots of ways to play.

8. Balance Pods

Balance pods are a step up from balance stepping stones, offering a more challenging and dynamic surface for kids to balance on, enhancing their core strength, stability, and coordination even further.

They provide a fun and engaging way to practice more advanced balance skills through play.

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Gross Motor Toys for Older Kids (7+ Years)

Older kids benefit from toys and activities that continue to challenge their physical abilities and encourage outdoor play.

1. Skateboard

Skateboarding is a thrilling activity for kids that boosts their balance, coordination, and agility while providing an outlet for creativity and self-expression.

As kids master new tricks, it also builds focus, determination, and resilience.

2. Rollerblades

Rollerblading is an exciting way for kids to improve their balance, coordination, and leg strength, significantly enhancing their gross motor skills through active play.

Kids love that the wheels light up on these roller blades from 2PM SPORTS! Each pair can be adjusted by sliding the toe piece in and out, making them perfect for growing feet.

3. Basketball Hoop

A full-size outdoor basketball hoop provides kids with a fun way to improve their motor skills, including hand-eye coordination, agility, and overall fitness.

Playing basketball encourages active play, teamwork, and the development of precise motor control through shooting, dribbling, and passing.

4. Soccer Goal

A soccer goal is great for kids, even if they’re not interested in formal soccer, as it encourages active play, improves their coordination, and enhances their motor skills through running, kicking, and aiming.

It’s perfect for casual games and practicing basic soccer moves, promoting fitness and fun.

5. Ankle Skip Ball

An ankle skip ball is a fun gross motor toy that helps kids improve their coordination, balance, and agility by jumping over a ball attached to their ankle.

It’s a fantastic way for them to stay active and develop their motor skills while having a blast.

6. Trampoline

A large backyard trampoline is a fun way for kids to get active, improving their balance, coordination, and leg strength as they jump and play. It’s perfect for burning off energy and enhancing their gross motor skills through dynamic movement.

This trampoline from Springfree features a unique springless design with flexible rods for enhanced safety, eliminating hard edges and pinch points. Its durable, weather-resistant materials and innovative safety net provide long-lasting outdoor fun, ensuring kids can jump and play safely.

Extend the fun:

• have a trampoline sleepover
• build a trampoline fort
• add a trampoline basketball hoop

7. Slackline

A slackline is a fun and challenging activity where kids can improve their balance, coordination, and core strength by walking and performing tricks on a flexible, narrow line.

Kids love seeing their progress as they practice, trying again and again to perfect their skills, which boosts their determination and sense of achievement.

• Check out all my favorite slacklines for kids!

8. Tetherball Set

Tetherball is a classic playground game where kids hit a ball attached to a pole, improving their hand-eye coordination, timing, and agility.

Growing up, many of us spent countless hours on the playground playing tetherball, relishing the friendly competition and the thrill of wrapping the ball around the pole.

This tether ball set comes with a nice sturdy base that is simply filled with water to keep the pole in place.

9. Paintball Equipment

Paintball is an exhilarating game where players tag each other with paint-filled pellets, improving their strategic thinking, agility, and teamwork.

Paintball equipment, including guns, paintballs, and protective gear, ensures safety and enhances the excitement of the game, making it a thrilling outdoor activity for kids and adults alike.

• Check out all my favorite paintball equipment for kids!

10. Ninja Warrior Obstical Course

A Ninja Warrior obstacle course is a fun outdoor gross motor toy that lets kids test their agility, strength, and balance. You can change out the accessories to make the course harder, easier, or to provide variety, keeping the challenges fresh and exciting.

To set it up, you need two anchoring points, like trees, and it must be set up outside to ensure stability and safety.

11. The Floor is Lava

“The Floor is Lava” is a super fun game that turns any room into an exciting obstacle course, where kids jump from one foam “rock” to another to avoid touching the floor, which they imagine is hot lava.

This game promotes active play, balance, coordination, and imaginative thinking, making it a hit for kids’ parties and family fun.

12. Pogo Stick

A pogo stick is a blast for kids, letting them bounce high into the air while improving their balance, coordination, and leg strength.

It’s an exciting way to stay active, challenging kids to see how many jumps they can do in a row and how high they can go, making every bounce an adventure.

For safety, kids must be at least 80 pounds to use a pogo stick properly.

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Final Thoughts

Choosing the right gross motor toys for your child’s age and development stage can significantly impact their physical growth and overall well-being.

Whether you have a tiny infant just beginning to lift their head or an energetic older child ready to conquer new challenges, there are plenty of fantastic gross motor toys to support their journey.

Encourage active play and watch your child’s confidence and skills soar!