I don’t know about you, but my kids are tired of being stuck inside. Especially since, for us, being inside is limited to less than 200 sq. feet. Yesterday, they had a lot of energy that needed to be used because they were using it for all the wrong things. (aka…not a good day). The #PlayfulPreschool is doing nursery rhymes this week, so I thought jumping over some ‘candlesticks’ would make for a good nursery rhyme gross motor activity. Shiloh thought so too!
As far as activities go this one is incredibly easy to prep. From printing to the start of the jumping fun took all of two minutes.
(You can get the candlestick download at the end of this post.)
Because of Shiloh’s developmental delays, she does not jump yet. She does love to think that she knows how though. This is a big reason why I chose to use printable candles instead of real ones. Most preschoolers would be able to jump over some short candles though if you wanted to use real ones.
I just wouldn’t light them….lol!
At first when I told her to jump, she thought that she would act like a ballerina. So instead of jumping, she started spinning with her hands up in the air. Totally cute, but not quite what we were looking for.
Since I can’t jump & take pictures at the same time, I enlisted the help of my 7 year old. She went around the candles with Shiloh saying ‘jump’ as she went over each one.
Shiloh quickly caught on, but her favorite candles were the ones in the center, so she kept “leaping” over the same ones while Jaida went around her.
Even though she didn’t jump (which was not an expectation for her), she enjoyed getting up and moving with her older sister and she got to hear a new nursery rhyme.
To extend this activity with kids of a higher skill level you could have them race to see how fast they can jump over all the candlesticks. After the nursery rhyme says,
“Jack be nimble,
Jack be quick,
Jack jumped over the candlestick.”
You can also talk about opposites like fast & slow or nimble & clumsy.
You can find lots more nursery rhyme activities like this “Hey Diddle, Diddle” play dough set on my Nursery Rhyme Pinterest board.
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Rhyming Game by Fun-A-DayTwinkle, Twinkle, Little Star Books and Nursery Rhyme Craft for Kids by The Educators’ Spin On It
Writing Activities for Preschool: Woolly Lines and Letters by Growing Book by Book
Cotton Ball Sheep Craft and Game by Tiny Tots Adventures
Mary had a Little Lamb Craft by Powerful Mothering
Mary, Mary Quite Contrary Pattern Play by Rainy Day Mum
How does our garden grow?-Tips for Gardening with Preschoolers by Capri + 3
What’s In The Egg? – Humpty Dumpty by Learning 2 Walk
Muffin Man Nursery Rhyme Activities by Mom Inspired Life
Nursery Rhyme Letter Writing by Still Playing School
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Amanda says
What a great way to get kids moving and learning! We usually play a game similar to this outside (with the sprinkler) This is a great winter indoor version! LOL
Kim says
Yes, while it’s not snowing and freezing here, it’s still a bit too cold to be jumping in the sprinkler!
Theresa says
Your comments about avoiding lighting the candles (if used) cracked me up. Yes, that would be a disaster waiting to happen. The cute free printables you are providing make it so easy to ‘jump right in’ and play this game. In some ways it is more challenging because the paper is wider than an actual candle.
Danielle says
LOVE this idea! It’s a great gross motor skills activity. My son would have a blast with it.
Kim says
I’m sure your son would love it!
Devany says
A fantastic way to get moving indoors!
Mary Catherine says
Definitely a good way to get the kiddos moving! I can see so many extensions of this activity for different ages and needs, too. 🙂
Natasha says
No we don’t want to light the candles, that would be a horrible disaster.
Kim says
lol!!
Nicolette Roux says
This looks like a ton of fun!!
*Adds to to-do list
Jodie @ Growing Book by Book says
What a fun way to work off a little energy!