The best examples of music and movement for gross motor skills

Quick, high-impact examples of music and movement for gross motor skills

Let’s start with the fun part: real, ready-to-use examples of music and movement for gross motor skills that kids actually enjoy. These are the kinds of activities that get kids sweaty, giggly, and tired in the best way.

Picture a group of preschoolers marching around the room to a drum beat. Every time the drum gets louder, they lift their knees higher. When it gets softer, they tiptoe. In a short five-minute activity, they’re practicing balance, coordination, and body awareness without a single worksheet in sight.

Here are some of the best examples of music and movement for gross motor skills you can plug into your day, whether you’re a parent, teacher, or therapist:

March, stomp, and tiptoe parades

Turn any room or hallway into a mini parade route. Put on a marching song or even a steady drum track. Invite kids to:

• March with high knees, swinging arms from side to side.
• Stomp like giants or dinosaurs, feeling the floor with each step.
• Tiptoe like sneaky cats when the music gets quiet.

This example of music and movement for gross motor skills targets leg strength, core stability, and rhythm. You can add scarves or flags to give kids something to wave, which also engages shoulder and arm muscles.

Freeze dance with big body moves

Freeze dance is a classic, and it’s still one of the best examples of music and movement for gross motor skills in 2024–2025 because it’s easy to adapt and works well in short bursts. Play upbeat music and call out movements like:

• “Jump like a kangaroo!”
• “Spin in a slow circle!”
• “Crawl like a bear!”
• “Hop on one foot!”

When the music stops, everyone freezes like a statue. This works on impulse control, balance, and coordination. You can gently challenge kids by asking them to hold a one-foot balance during the freeze.

Action songs that tell kids how to move

Songs that build the movement into the lyrics are some of the simplest examples of music and movement for gross motor skills. Think of classic action songs like:

• “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes” for bending, reaching, and body awareness.
• “If You’re Happy and You Know It” for clapping, stomping, and jumping.
• “The Hokey Pokey” for stepping in and out, turning around, and balancing on one leg.

These songs are especially helpful for younger children or kids who need more structure, because the music literally tells them what to do next.

Animal movement jams

Put on a rhythmic track and invite kids to move like different animals. This is a playful example of music and movement for gross motor skills that can be as intense or gentle as you need:

• Elephants: heavy stomping steps.
• Frogs: big two-footed jumps.
• Snakes: slithering on the floor.
• Birds: flapping arms and running with light feet.

You can pause the music to switch animals, which keeps attention high and gives short rest breaks.

Scarf and ribbon dancing

Soft props like scarves and ribbons are perfect when you want examples of music and movement for gross motor skills that feel a little calmer but still work the whole body. Play gentle or flowing music and encourage:

• Big arm circles while standing with feet planted.
• Reaching up high, then swooping down low.
• Turning in slow circles while keeping the scarf moving.

This supports shoulder stability, trunk rotation, and coordination between arms and legs.

Obstacle course with a soundtrack

Set up a simple indoor or outdoor obstacle path: a line of pillows to jump over, a tape line to balance on, a tunnel to crawl through. Now add music. Ask kids to:

• Move through the course to the beat.
• Speed up when the music gets faster.
• Slow down when the music softens.

This is a powerful example of music and movement for gross motor skills because it combines planning, timing, and body control. It’s also easy to scale for different ages.

Balloon and bubble movement parties

Balloons and bubbles add instant motivation. Put on music and:

• Ask kids to keep a balloon in the air using only their hands, then only their feet.
• Have them chase and pop bubbles by jumping, reaching, or stomping.

These are simple examples of music and movement for gross motor skills that build coordination, visual tracking, and quick changes in direction.

Why music supercharges gross motor skill development

We know kids need to move. The CDC recommends that children and adolescents get at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day, including activities that strengthen bones and muscles.

Source: CDC Physical Activity Guidelines for Children

So where does music come in? When we look at the best examples of music and movement for gross motor skills, a few patterns show up:

• Music increases motivation. Kids will repeat a movement far more times when it’s wrapped in a song or dance.
• Rhythm supports timing and coordination. Matching steps or jumps to a beat helps children fine-tune control over their bodies.
• Songs give structure. Lyrics that cue movements reduce confusion and anxiety, especially for younger kids or those with developmental delays.

Research from early childhood and music education programs suggests that rhythm-based movement can support not just motor skills, but also attention and self-regulation. Programs that combine music and movement are now widely used in preschools, early intervention, and pediatric therapy settings.

For an overview of developmental milestones that these activities support, you can explore the CDC’s developmental milestones checklists.

Age-by-age examples of music and movement for gross motor skills

Different ages need different kinds of challenges. Here are real examples of music and movement for gross motor skills organized loosely by age and stage. Of course, every child is different, so think of these as starting points, not rigid rules.

Toddlers (1–3 years): Big, simple, joyful movements

For toddlers, the goal is to encourage large, whole-body movements in short bursts. Think 2–5 minutes at a time, repeated throughout the day.

Helpful activities include:

• Bouncing and swaying on your lap to lullabies or gentle songs.
• Walking or toddling while you clap a steady beat.
• Simple follow-the-leader games: you stomp, they stomp; you spin, they spin.
• Rolling a ball back and forth to music, then gradually encouraging them to chase it.

These early examples of music and movement for gross motor skills help toddlers practice balance, walking, and simple jumps.

Preschoolers (3–5 years): More variety, more imagination

Preschoolers are ready for more complex patterns and pretend play. Here’s where many of the best examples of music and movement for gross motor skills really shine.

Try:

• Dance-and-freeze games with clear cues.
• Action songs that involve jumping, turning, and reaching.
• Musical “follow the leader” where the leader chooses a movement and everyone copies.
• Rhythm marching with drums or shakers, taking big steps, tiny steps, or sideways steps.

You can also start introducing simple yoga-inspired poses to music, like “tree” or “star,” to challenge balance.

Early elementary (5–8 years): Strength, control, and coordination

Kids in early elementary grades can handle longer routines and more complex instructions. Music and movement activities can now build endurance and coordination.

Real examples include:

• Choreographing short dance sequences to favorite songs.
• Relay-style games where kids run, skip, or gallop to a rhythm.
• Musical obstacle courses that mix jumping, crawling, and balancing.
• Partner dances that involve mirroring each other’s movements.

These examples of music and movement for gross motor skills support sports readiness, playground confidence, and overall fitness.

Older kids and mixed-age groups

If you’re working with older kids or a wide range of ages, lean into choice and creativity.

You might:

• Let kids choose the song, then create their own movement patterns.
• Use popular dance challenges (carefully selected and age-appropriate) as a starting point for warm-ups.
• Introduce simple cardio dance routines that include jumping jacks, side steps, and reaching overhead.

Even for older kids, these music and movement examples build gross motor skills like agility, balance, and coordination—and they offer a mood-boosting break from screens and seated work.

Adapting music and movement activities for different abilities

The best examples of music and movement for gross motor skills are flexible. They can be adapted for children with physical, sensory, or developmental differences.

Some practical adjustments:

• Change the position: Activities can be done sitting, standing, or lying on the floor. A child who uses a wheelchair can still wave scarves, clap to the beat, or do upper-body movements.
• Adjust the tempo: Slower music can help children who need more time to coordinate movements.
• Simplify the choices: Instead of offering five different actions, offer two and repeat them more often.
• Use clear visual cues: Picture cards showing “jump,” “spin,” or “stomp” can support kids who benefit from visual supports.

Organizations such as children’s hospitals and therapy centers often use these kinds of adapted activities in occupational and physical therapy. For general background on developmental and motor concerns, you can explore resources from the American Academy of Pediatrics via HealthyChildren.org.

Building a daily routine with music and movement

You don’t need a perfect lesson plan to make this work. A few simple habits can turn your day into a steady stream of examples of music and movement for gross motor skills.

You might:

• Start the morning with a three-minute movement song to wake up bodies and brains.
• Add a music-and-movement break between seated tasks or lessons.
• Use a calming, slow-tempo movement song before nap time or bedtime.
• End the day with a “dance out the wiggles” session.

Think of music as your on-call assistant: when energy is low, choose something upbeat with big movements; when things are too wild, choose slower songs with stretching or gentle swaying.

Safety tips to keep movement fun and low-stress

To keep these examples of music and movement for gross motor skills safe and enjoyable:

• Clear the space: Move chairs, toys, or anything a child could trip over.
• Watch the floor: Avoid slippery socks on slick floors; bare feet or grippy shoes are usually better.
• Respect limits: Encourage effort, but don’t force a movement that causes pain or fear.
• Keep it short: Many short movement bursts throughout the day are often better than one long session.

If you have concerns about a child’s motor development—like frequent falls, difficulty jumping, or trouble keeping up with peers—it can be helpful to talk with a pediatrician. Resources from the National Institutes of Health offer background information on child development and movement.

FAQ: Real-world questions about music and movement for gross motor skills

What are some simple examples of music and movement for gross motor skills I can use at home?
Think about short, playful activities: dance-and-freeze games, marching to a drum beat, jumping like animals to a song, or doing “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes” before bedtime. Even a two-minute living-room dance party counts as an example of music and movement for gross motor skills.

How often should kids do these kinds of activities?
Daily is ideal. The CDC recommends at least 60 minutes of physical activity a day for children, and music and movement can easily make up part of that time. Several mini sessions—5 to 10 minutes each—spread across the day usually work well.

Are there examples of music and movement for gross motor skills that work in small spaces?
Yes. Try tiptoe and giant-step games, slow-motion dancing, scarf waving, or seated action songs with big arm movements. You don’t need a gym; even a cleared area in a living room or classroom can work.

Do I need special equipment to get started?
Not at all. Many of the best examples of music and movement for gross motor skills use nothing more than your voice and a song from your phone. Simple props like scarves, ribbons, or a ball can add variety, but they’re optional.

What if a child seems shy or resistant to moving?
Start small. Invite them to watch first, then offer a very simple role, like clapping or shaking a small instrument. Keep the tone light and low-pressure. Over time, most children warm up when they see that music and movement are about fun, not performance.

Music and movement don’t need to be fancy to be effective. When you look for everyday chances to add rhythm, song, and big-body play, you’ll naturally build a rich collection of examples of music and movement for gross motor skills—right in your living room, classroom, or therapy room.