Fun Games That Build Strength and Skills
Summer isn’t just about sunshine, pool days, and popsicles—it’s also a valuable opportunity to continue supporting your child’s physical development through creative, purposeful play. For children with neuromotor conditions, developmental delays, or those who are simply working on building strength, balance, or coordination, the break from school doesn’t have to mean a break in progress.
At Crawl Walk Jump Run Therapy Clinic, we know how important it is to maintain momentum outside of the therapy room. That’s why we encourage parents to incorporate fun, functional games into their children’s summer routines. These simple summer physical therapy activities can be done at home, in the backyard, or even at the park—and they just might be the most fun your child has all week!
Why Summer Play Matters
During the school year, many children receive physical therapy services in school or through outpatient programs. But when summer rolls around, those routines often pause. Unfortunately, so can progress. Play-based physical therapy activities can help bridge that gap. When done consistently, they can help your child:
- Maintain gains made during the school year
- Prevent regression in strength or mobility
- Stay physically and mentally engaged
- Build new motor skills in a low-pressure environment
And the best part? Your child may not even realize they’re doing therapy, because they’re having so much fun.
1. Backyard Obstacle Courses
Obstacle courses are a classic summer physical therapy activity. You don’t need fancy equipment; just get creative with household or outdoor items:
- Crawl under a table or through a tunnel
- Hop over couch cushions or pool noodles
- Walk heel-to-toe along a chalk line or wooden beam
- Toss bean bags into a laundry basket
Obstacle courses help improve balance, coordination, sequencing, motor planning, and endurance, all wrapped into one dynamic, engaging experience. Add a timer for older kids who thrive on challenge, or have them build the course with you to promote problem-solving and planning skills.
2. Water Balloon Toss (with a Twist)
Is it even summer without water balloons? This summer physical therapy activity is a blast, and great for developing upper body control and core strength.
Try these variations:
- Toss while standing on one foot
- Balance on stepping stones or cushions while playing
- Use a plastic scoop or bucket to catch instead of hands
Water balloon tosses encourage hand-eye coordination, reaction time, shoulder strength, and body awareness. Plus, it’s a great way to stay cool on a hot day. Just be mindful of slippery surfaces and always supervise closely during water play.
3. Animal Walk Races
Pretend play is powerful, especially when it helps build physical strength. Challenge your child to race across the yard as different animals:
- Bear Walk: Walking on hands and feet with hips up
- Crab Walk: Sitting and lifting off the ground with hands and feet
- Frog Jumps: Squatting and jumping forward
- Snake Slither: Army crawling with belly on the ground
Animal walks engage upper and lower body strength, build endurance, improve coordination, and provide rich proprioceptive input (the body’s awareness of where it is in space). Make it a race with siblings or friends for added excitement.
4. Sidewalk Chalk Games
Sidewalk chalk isn’t just for doodles—it’s a great tool for designing physical therapy challenges. Draw:
- Hopscotch grids for balance and single-leg strength
- Agility ladders for quick steps and coordination
- Curved or zigzag lines for balance walking
Encourage your child to jump between numbers, trace shapes with their feet, or follow patterns using specific movements like tiptoe walking or skipping. Chalk games enhance balance, bilateral coordination, motor planning, and creative expression.
5. Movement-Based Scavenger Hunts
Turn a regular scavenger hunt into a full-body experience by adding movement to each clue. For example:
- “Find something blue and hop to it”
- “Crawl to the mailbox and wave at a neighbor”
- “March like a soldier to the swing set”
These hunts combine physical activity with cognitive challenges like direction-following, sequencing, and attention. Plus, they’re easy to adapt for different skill levels.
Why These Games Make a Difference
Play-based therapy at home doesn’t replace formal physical therapy sessions, but it does help reinforce the work your child is already doing in the clinic. It also gives you, as a parent, a chance to be an active participant in your child’s progress.
Children with physical delays or neuromotor conditions often need repeated exposure to certain movements in order to master them. These summer physical therapy activities provide opportunities for repetition, without it feeling like work.
And perhaps most importantly, they build your child’s confidence. Mastering a new movement, even in a playful context, is empowering. It reminds your child that they are capable, strong, and improving every day.
Tips for a Safe, Successful Summer of Movement
- Start Slow: You don’t need to do everything at once. Pick one activity a day and build from there.
- Stay Positive: Celebrate effort, not perfection. Cheer them on and make it fun.
- Modify When Needed: If a task is too difficult, adjust the environment or the movement to meet your child where they are.
- Log Progress: Keep a simple journal or photo album of your child’s summer therapy play. Share it with your child’s therapist when sessions resume—it’s a great way to track growth.
Summer should be a time of joy, but it can also be a time of meaningful growth. By integrating these summer physical therapy activities into your family’s routine, you’re giving your child the tools to move, play, and thrive.
If you’re looking for additional ways to support your child’s development this summer, we’re here to help. Contact us at (586) 323-2957 to learn how our therapy programs can complement your child’s summer activities.
