Childhood is all about movement and how a child becomes comfortable in his/her own body. Physical Activity for nursery class can be a jump over a puddle or a race with friends. Tip-toeing around for hide-and-go seek or participating during physical Games class for preschoolers indoors. At Teeny Beans, we keep reminding, with our curriculum, that Movement is magic, as physical games for preschoolers build brains, bodies and bonds.

Let us delve into the whys of the importance of physical activity for nursery class. In this blog we will try children strengthen their limbs to answer why physical games for preschoolers are so important and how Teeny Beans integrates them seamlessly into its curriculum.

 

Why Physical Games for Preschoolers Are Essential?

A child’s brain is like a sponge. Thus, in the early years, children soak in everything they hear or see. Adding movement and exercise during the school day helps students stay focused and behave better in class. It makes it easier for them to learn and remember what’s being taught. Physical activity games for preschoolers support large muscle (gross muscle) movements, helping them strengthen their limbs, back and balance. 

Gross motor development involves skills such as walking, jumping, throwing, catching, balancing, crawling and climbing. These are life skills without the strong foundation of which classroom learning (like sitting still) becomes a tough job.

A Teeny Beans every element of our curriculum is designed to develop children holistically. Including Physical development, which is one of the key development areas of the EYFS framework that TB curriculum is based on.

Benefits of Physical Activity for Nursery Class

• Builds strength and coordination
• Enhances concentration (more movement = better focus)
• Reduces anxiety and restlessness
• Promotes better sleep
• Boosts confidence and independence
• Improves classroom participation

So yes, when you see kids playing tag or marching like dinosaurs, know this: they’re not “just playing”; they are growing.

Top 10 Physical Activity Games for Preschoolers

 

These 5 physical activities can be planned in structured spaces like classrooms and playgrounds, where teachers will be there to help children balance fun and safety.

Activity	Benefits	Equipment Needed	How to Play
1. Obstacle Course	Builds coordination & problem-solving	Cones, mats, foam blocks	Set up a path using mats, cones, and blocks. Children crawl under, jump over, and weave through the obstacles.
2. Animal Walks	Enhances strength & creativity	Open space	Call out animals (e.g., bear, frog, duck) and children mimic their movements—crawling, hopping, waddling.
3. Bean Bag Toss	Develops aim and hand-eye coordination	Bean bags, buckets or hoops	Children stand behind a line and toss bean bags into targets like buckets or hoops.
4. Follow the Leader	Improves listening and balance	No equipment	One child leads a group doing different movements—hopping, spinning, tiptoeing—while others follow.
5. Parachute Play	Encourages teamwork and upper body strength	Large parachute fabric	Children hold edges of a parachute and move it up and down. Add balls on top for catching or bouncing fun.

Now, these are 5 physical activity games for preschoolers that they can fit beautifully into both schedules and home routines.

Game	Why Kids Love It	What It Teaches
6. Balloon Volleyball	Fast-paced, fun, safe	Coordination, turn-taking
7. Indoor Scavenger Hunt	Adventure at home	Observation, movement
8. Dance Freeze	Music and movement blend	Listening, control
9. Pillow Crawl	Obstacle crawling using pillows	Core strength, agility
10. Yoga for Kids	Calming, stretching poses	Balance, breathing

Visual Representation of the Benefits of Physical Play

Inside the Nursery Classroom

Many early childhood education centres today understand the importance of movement in a child’s learning journey. From the early years onwards, schools provide children with safe play areas that allow children to move freely, play, explore, and stay physically active throughout the day.

Teachers do more than watch children during playtime. They actively guide movement-based learning by adding physical activities into daily classroom routines. Through simple exercises, guided play, yoga, and interactive games, children learn academic concepts while moving their bodies. This keeps learning fun, engaging, and age-appropriate.

• Curriculum-Driven Integration
  

  Most modern preschool ensures that their curriculum has “physical development” as a part of their core learning. Physical development or motor skill activities help in building both their gross muscles (through running, jumping, balancing) and fine muscles (through gripping, drawing, and hand control). Activities like structured play, outdoor activities, and movement-based lessons help children to develop these skills and prepare them for school and life.

• Afterschool Activity Programs
  

  Many learning centres also support physical development through after-school activity programs for children aged 3 to 8 years. These programs offer age-appropriate activities that improve coordination, strength, and body control. At the same time, children remain engaged in a safe, supervised, and enjoyable environment.

• Holistic Development Philosophy
  

  Quality early childhood education always looks at the whole child. Physical development is closely linked to emotional, social, and cognitive growth. When movement and play are part of everyday learning, children gain confidence, improve social skills, and develop a positive attitude towards learning that lasts beyond the preschool years.
  
  

Movement is Learning

Play is not the opposite of learning, children start their education with play. Physical games for preschoolers prepare them for everything from writing, socialising, strategizing, cognitive development and focus learning.

How Play Builds Foundational Skills: Large Motor Development Examples 

1. Writing Readiness (Shoulder & Arm Strength) 

Example: Wheelbarrow Walks - Children "walk" on their hands while an adult holds their legs. This builds shoulder stability and arm strength needed for pencil control. 

2. Social Skills 

Example: Parachute Games - Groups work together to make waves, or bounce balls. This teaches cooperation, turn-taking, and non-verbal communication. 

3. Strategic Thinking 

Example: Obstacle Courses - Crawling through tunnels, stepping over beams, and hopping between markers develop problem-solving as children plan movement sequences. 

4. Cognitive Development (Balance & Spatial Awareness) and Focus & Concentration   

Example: Balance Beam Walking - Adjusting posture on a narrow beam strengthens neural pathways for math concepts like measurement and estimation. 

As they carefully place one foot in front of the other, they develop body awareness and sustained attention - skills that directly translate to sitting still and focusing during lessons. This simple activity proves how physical play builds cognitive control.

 

Why Should Parents and Teachers Prioritize Movement?

In today's world, which is very screen-heavy and passive, every child must stay active. Teachers can initiate movement-based education at school, and parents can bring in school-style games at home. They can also follow the games that we have shared in this blog.

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FAQs

1. Why are physical games important for preschoolers?

Physical games for preschoolers are important as they develop gross motor skills, strengthen their muscles for sitting and writing, and help them reduce anxiety and boost confidence.

2. What are some simple physical activities for indoors?

Physical games for preschoolers indoors include 

• Obstacle courses (with mats & cones) 
• Animal walks (bear crawls, frog jumps) 
• Bean bag toss games 
• Parachute play 
• Dance freeze games  
  
  

3. How does physical play help cognitive development?

Activities like beam balance and obstacle course build neural connections for maths/spatial skills, while strategic games teach them problem-solving and focus.

4. How is physical development integrated into a preschool curriculum?