Savvy Parenting : Toys and Games to Improve Your Child's Balance The Savvy Source for Parents

Sometimes the weather won't cooperate and you can't get outside to play. For those days, I'll tell you about some fun games and toys you can enjoy indoors that will help your child improve his or her balance!

'Balance beam' fun! Use some painter's tape to mark off a 'balance beam' on the floor. Run two lines of tape about three feet long and leave about half a foot in between the three feet lines of tape. Pretend this is a balance bean, and encourage your child to walk on it. Add exciement to the game by having your child hold two stuffed animals (one in each hand), balancing a bean bag on his or her head, or doing a small turn. Let your preschool balance beam champ do a little jump "off" the end of the "beam"with arms up in the air like an Olympic medalist.

Build an obstacle course! Using boxes, pillows, cushions, chairs, and so forth, build a little obstacle course in your play area. This helps your child learn to gauge his or her body in relation to other objects. To add more balance challenge, create some fun "rules" such as "walk sideways through this part," or "balance a bean bag on your head through this part." Make sure they are only doing one challenge at a time, though!For example, let the balance portion be in a straight part.

Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes...on a dime! Cut out a circle from construction paper or cardboard that is large enough for your child's feet (with some space in between). Do one for yourself too. Feel free to decorate! Place the circle on the floor and sing "Head, Shoulder Knees and Toes." (If you need help with the lyrics, you can read them here.) The object is to stay on the circle! This activity helps your child with body part names, sequences, music, balance, and more. Giggling encouraged.

Floor skate! What kid doesn't like to pretend skate on tile and wood floors with socks? Not only is this fun, but it helps build balance and balance strength! Put on socks and skate around the floor with your child. Hold hands and skate together and skate separately. Do fun skate moves---whatever you can think of or enjoy.

Kick ball! Kicking balls is a great way to improve both balance and coordination.

Toys that help! Riding toys help improve balance and coordination because they use larger arm and leg muscles, not to mention, practice builds confidence and ability. One Step Ahead also suggests some toys for 0-3 and for older, too, that help balance. Toys are great for fun and development, and I'm always happy with the quality from One Step Ahead and Leaps & Bounds. ebeanstalk also has a good selection that is both educational and fun, plus reasonably priced (hint: you can usually find coupon codes online!). However, toys also sometimes give moms ideas about how to re-tool things around the house for specific developmental games, such as to improve balance. let your imagination and cretivity flow, especially if you are watching your budget and don't want to watch your money go!

Julie is the Houston City Editor for The Savvy Source. You can read more of her work every day at Being Savvy Houston.

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