Gross Motor Skills Activities

Shop Gross Motor Activities in Australia

At Special Needs Resources, our aim is to improve the quality of life for those with special or additional needs at any stage of life. Impaired gross motor skills can affect coordination, mobility, balance and more. We offer a range of products that employ and practice using your gross motor skills in a fun and engaging way.

What Are Gross Motor Activities?

Gross motor skills involve the control and coordination of movements that involve a person’s whole body. This can be arms, legs and core muscles.  Gross motor skills include everyday activities such as:

• Sitting
• Standing
• Walking
• Running
• Crawling
• Swimming

Gross motor skills involve using the larger muscle groups of the arms, legs and torso to propel the body in everyday living. There are lots of conditions that can impair gross motor skills at all stages of life, from congenital conditions to stroke recovery. Special Needs Resources provides resources and equipment to assist with support, movement, development and recovery of gross motor skills.

Whilst each person varies, it is important that they all learn and practice with gross motor skills equipment so they can use these movements in everyday life.

What Are the Benefits of Gross Motor Activities?

Gross motor skill development can assist anyone, from those who are neurodivergent or aged, to those with autism or ADHD. Using tools to promote gross motor skills can help improve balance and coordination, improve focus and sensory integration, and assist with daily living activities.

Large muscle movements, such as walking, standing and arm usage, are imperative to daily life. Impairment can affect an individual’s autonomy, self-confidence and independence. Using gross motor tools to improve skills can lead to a better quality of life, higher self-confidence and easier mobility.

An additional benefit of gross motor activities, particularly for those with ADHD, anxiety or fidgeting habits, can be using up excess energy in a healthy way. Games and fun activities can also foster social interaction development and emotional regulation behaviours.

In aged care settings, gross motor activities like simple stretching exercises, walking, or seated aerobics are crucial for maintaining mobility, balance, and overall physical health. These activities can help prevent falls, a common concern for older adults.

What Are Popular Gross Motor Activities at Special Needs Resources?

Here are some of the most popular products in our gross motor skills collection. 

Movement

Large movement activities that use the entire body, such as the Skipping Rope, help with coordination, balance and strength. Resistance Bands aid with muscle strength in the legs. Paddle Ball, tennis and other games aid with running and coordination. Lots to choose from!

Touch

Sensory feedback is another aspect of gross motor function. The Tickles Massage Ball, Texture-riffic Sensory Ball and Pom Pom Ball are examples of products that add sensory input to gross motor development. 

Activities

Great for young children, activities and gross motor skills resources are an engaging and fun way to learn. Activities like the 3m Lycra Tunnel, 4m Rainbow Parachute, Giant Darts Set, and Target Parachute engage the entire body and promote crawling and spatial awareness skills. 

For more information about our gross motor activities range, or if you need any additional support, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.