The importance of Physical Activity and Play for Toddlers and preschoolers is unquestionable. Physical activity is vital for your toddler’s development and to help him/her maintain a normal weight. The Department of Health recommends that children under five years who can walk should be active for at least three hours each day.
In this article, we will expand our knowledge about the importance of Physical Activity and Play for Toddlers and how we can be part of their growth and help them live better and be healthier.
Why physical activity is good for toddlers?
Physical activity is vital for children’s health, wellbeing and development, now and in the future.
Physical activity has lots of health benefits for children. It:
- strengthens children’s bones, muscles, hearts and lungs
- improves children’s coordination, balance, posture and flexibility
- helps children stay at a healthy weight
- reduces children’s risk of getting heart disease, cancer and type-2 diabetes later in life.
Physical activity also boosts children’s wellbeing. For example, active children are more likely to:
- be confident and feel like they belong
- be relaxed and sleep well
- concentrate better at school
- get along with others and make friends easily
- share, take turns and cooperate.
Physical activity is an important part of play and learning. And when children do physical activity with you or other people, it can be a great way for them to build relationships in your family and community.
Physical activity is also just good fun for children.
How Much Physical Activity Should Children Have Every Day?
The best way to determine a daily physical activity routine that will benefit your child is to consult with their pediatrician or primary care provider. The following suggestions come from The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans guide, published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This outline is designed to provide evidence-based guidance to encourage people of all ages to maintain their health through physical activity.
Toddlers should be encouraged to participate in about 60 minutes of physical activity (active play) throughout the day, every day. By this age range, they will be walking, running, kicking, throwing, and reaching for just about everything they can get their hands on. Presenting them with constructive opportunities to practice these motor skills is essential to healthy development.
Preschoolers, three to five years of age should spend at least 3 hours a day being physically active. Active play for children this age should include fun aerobic exercises like running around, catching and throwing, swimming, riding a bike, etc. Aside from sleeping, preschool-age children should not be inactive for prolonged periods of time. So the more opportunities they have to be active, the better it is for physical development.
Best Active Toys for Toddlers
We totally understand the Importance of Physical Activity and Play for Toddlers, This is why we have tested, reviewed and order the best toddlers physical activity toys online for you to make the best choice for your toddler
#1 Kiddey Children’s Play Tent with Tunnel
Indoor & Outdoor
Kiddy came up with the perfect solution for this, now your little adventurers can enjoy an amazing time of play both indoors as well as outdoors with this 3 pieces play tent.
This play tent and tunnel are meticulously crafted from premium quality polyester material. Sturdy steel wire lining makes sure that this play tent lasts long and hold up well to real world applications.
Each individual piece can be setup and stored quickly and easily thanks to the simple “pop up” design and ground stakes. The teepee is large enough for small children to stand up but small when folded.
Setting up this dual play tent and tunnel is a breeze. You can easily set up this play tent in a few minutes. It even folds down in seconds so that you can store it in the carrying case and easily take the tent to picnic, parties, trips, campaigns or anywhere you want!
Product Highlights
- Recommended age range: 12 Months and up
- Large play area
- Made from high quality materials
- Play balls are not included
- Pros
- Easy to use
- Durable
- Easy to clean
- Cons
- Balls not included
- Small for kids over 4
Summary:
Toddlers get a kick out of a crawl-through tunnel on their own but add tents at either end (which can also serve as ball pits) and you have endless active fun. Kids 12 months old and up can safely expend their energy with this fun toy, and once they’ve tuckered out, you can collapse everything down into a neat little carrying case.
#2 Little Tikes 2-in-1 Garden Cart and Wheelbarrow
Role play activity
Product Highlights
- Recommended age range: 2-6 Years
- Traditional garden cart styling make it easy to transport things
- Removable fabric shade
- Real working water sprinkler
- Removable tray for flower pots
- Converts to wheelbarrow
- Pros
- 2 in 1 product
- Fits to age
- Easy to clean
- Easy to assemble
- Cons
- Relatively small
Summary:
There are two things toddlers really love: putting stuff into containers and taking them back out, and “helping” their parents any chance they can get. This toy is the perfect combination of both. It’s designed for kids between 2 and 6 years old and is equipped with features that are great for outside play, like a shade canopy and a working water sprinkler. It also comes with two potted flowers and two gardening tools.
#3 Mekbok Foldable Indoor/Outdoor Toddlers Glide Tricycle
Best Tricycle
Looking for a simple, easy to use Tricycle for your little one to zip around the house or yard in?
Try this tricycle by Mekbok
This adorable 3 wheeled ride is great for indoor and outdoor use. It has a simple 3 step folding system which allows you to unfold (and fold) it in seconds!
Light weight and compact the Mekbok tricycle is perfect for a trip to the park, a friend the next block over or a relative 2 states away.
In addition, The unique Design will help build Balance and coordination, while the 3 wheel design adds stability.
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- Recommended age range: 18 months to 3 Years
- Great to Build motor skills
- Easily folded and lightweight (4.4 pounds)
- Pros
- Foldable
- Lightweight
- Value for money
- Cons
- Limited age range
- Limited colors
Summary:
The cute design appeals to babies and young toddlers, and the tri-pod design requires little ones to work on balance. The soft wheels can easily be ridden inside the house without marking up your floors.
Finally, it folds up into a tiny package so that it’s easy to carry to the park or on vacation.
#4 Little Tikes T-Ball Set
Best Budget
This tball set has an adjustable height “T” which adapts to a child’s developing motor skills, batting skills, and hand-eye coordination. By adding this to your toddler sports toys, your kids are on their way to be a pro.
Toddlers of different height, alone or with their playmates, can play. Engage in experiencing success at their age. Add excitement to your normal bat n ball activity, whether by swing, batting, and hitting tee baseball.
The set comes with 5 plastic tee balls and has an oversized plastic baseball bat so everyone can hit out of their backyard easily. Boys and girls can be part of the batting tee ball action and enjoy the imaginative roar of the crowd.
In addition, When home runs are over and everyone has been strike-out, your baseball toy can be conveniently stored. This lightweight plastic t ball set has a special hang-on-the-wall design for easy small-space storage indoor or outdoor.
Product Highlights
- Recommended age range: 18 months and up
- Very good review on Amazon
- Set includes 5 plastic tee balls, plastic baseball bat and Adjustable height "T"
- Great for outdoor activity in a fair price
- Pros
- Easy to store
- Easy to use
- Budget
- Light weight
- Cons
- Balls bit too hard
Summary:
95% of 17,200+ Amazon reviewers rated this product 4 stars or above.
Firstly, The Little Tikes T-Ball Set is our top pick because it’s adjustable, easy for toddlers to use, and can be played indoors or outdoors. This classic toy is suitable for toddlers 18 months old and up. They’ll learn to swing the bat and chase the ball in no time.
Secondly, The height of the ‘T’ is adjustable, so it will grow with your child. The set includes 5 plastic balls and a lightweight, oversized bat so they can play with comfortably and safely. In addition, When they’re finished playing, the pieces can all be neatly stored in the stand and hung on the wall out of the way.
#5 ECR4Kids SoftZone Climb and Crawl Activity Playset
Best Activity Set
Constructed with certified flexible polyurethane foams that meet CertiPUR-US program standards.
The SoftZone Climb and Crawl Play Set from ECR4Kids is a great addition to any daycare, preschool or home environment. Little ones can explore by climbing the steps and sliding down the soft and above all, safe wedge.
Product Highlights
- Recommended age range: 9 months to 3 Years
- Great to Build fine and gross motor skills, social interaction and critical thinking
- Made from high quality and safe materials
- Pros
- Fits to age
- Durable
- Easy to clean
- Sturdiness
- Cons
- Relatively small
- Needs better grips on bottom
Summary:
Climbers between 9 months old and 3 years old will have tons of fun with this five-piece climbing set. Each cushion is made out of a lightweight foam so your little one can easily move things around to create new challenges, and you don’t have to worry because each piece has a non-slip bottom for safety. In addition, They’re also waterproof, so if your tot spills something on one of the cushions, just wipe it down with some soap and water and you’re set.
#6 Monkey Bars Climbing Tower Eezy Peezy
Best Outdoor
The Lil Monkey Dome Climber is made from plastic materials therefore, it offers safety and flexibility. For even more fun and imagination, you can throw a sheet over it, and your kids can have their own tent or clubhouse!
Product Highlights
- Recommended age range: 3 to 8 Years
- Interlocking plastic tubes and connectors with double self-locking springs
- Made from high quality plastic material that features UV protection
- Lightweight and easy assembly makes it convenient for unit to be moved easily
- Pros
- Easy to move
- High quality and Durablility
- Value for money
- Cons
- Might be not easy to assemble
- Anchors not included
Summary:
This play dome offers your child a good space to climb, hang, and swing. At a little over 5 and a half feet, you will also find that it is the perfect size for a playroom, and it won’t overwhelm the space. It is easy to assemble, sturdy and durable, and still remains lightweight. It can safely hold up to 264 pounds and is the perfect toy for more than one child.
#7 B. toys by Battat Floor Piano Mat
Musical
And if you want to dance to your own beat, pick the melody mix and step anywhere on the floor mat to hear familiar nursery songs.
However your child chooses to play and explore, the mathematics musical dance mat is an exciting way for them to discover music and dance in an active and creative way.
Product Highlights
- Recommended age range: 3 Years and up
- Watch the lights and dance to 10 nursery songs
- Volume and the tempo can be adjusted
- Works on memory or focus on the movement
- Pros
- Variety of musical options
- Durable
- Creativity
- Cons
- Challenging for youngers
- Bottom can be softer
Summary:
The importance of Physical Activity and Play for Toddlers and preschoolers is unquestionable, and this toy will definitely gonna make your child move. Kiddos with a love of music or dancing can burn energy with this 26″ x 54″ floor piano mat designed for little ones 3 years old and up. They definitely won’t get bored, because this toy has four play modes, all of which keep them moving while also aiding in their development. In addition, There are tons of great songs, opportunities to dance, and even the option to make up their own sound combinations.