Stick Ladder Outdoor Gross Motor Activity

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy. Adult supervision is required for all activities found on HappyToddlerPlaytime.com.

INSIDE: Stick Ladder Outdoor Gross Motor Activity is a fun and super easy outdoor summer activity for kids. Easy to set up and a great way to get kids moving!

Outdoor Activities

Contrary to popular belief I do not always have an activity planned for my kids. Sometimes we go outside and I just tell them to go play. They may protest at first claim to be bored and insist that I play with them but usually that will pass and their boredom is overturned but some distraction or another and they are off and playing.

Other days, I like to have something easy planned that will set up the play. That is how I view the activities we do as stepping stones to free play. They – activities – are tools I use to help me parent. An activity that last 5 minutes is more than successful when immediately after they are done they run off and play on their own. This stick ladder is one such activity!

The Best Sensory Play Kits for Kids

Play is at the core of learning during the early years and it can take many forms. One of the most important of these is sensory play because it engages all of a child’s senses (taste, touch, smell, sight and hearing) and has a enoumous positive impact on brain development.

Our Sensory Play Kits are a fun and easy way to keep your child engaged while at the same time capitalizing on the benefits of sensory play to nurture their mind!

Shop our ready made play kits here.

I am so excited to announce that I wrote a book! Super STEAM Activity Book: Launch Learning with Fun Mazes, Dot-to-Dots, Search-the-Page Puzzles, and More! ! It comes out June 8th. Click here to pre-order it now!

Stick Ladder: Outdoor Gross Motor Activity

How to Set Up Stick Ladder

The set up for this activity is beyond easy. First have your toddler or preschooler gather up some large sticks with you either along a walk in the neighborhood or from your backyard. My backyard is lined with trees and often has small branches and sticks that have fallen lying around.

Next, line up your sticks in line parallel to each other. Place the sticks apart with enough room for your toddlers or preschoolers to be able to comfortably walk or run through without stepping on the sticks.

Finally, invite them to walk, run crawl over the sticks!

How They Played Stick Ladder

I knew this would be fun but I did not expect it to be as fun as it was for my toddlers! They ran through this mini obstacle courses until they were breathless! I challenged them to walk like different animals over the sticks. Hop like a kangaroo, slither like a snake, prowl like a lion.