--- title: 5 playground activities that can boost your child’s development description: Playing on the playground can boost your child's motor skills, social skills, and more. Here are 5 playground activities and the skills they help kids build. slug: 5-playground-activities-that-can-help-your-childs-development author: Amanda Morin reviewer: Elizabeth Harstad, MD, MPH published: '2019-08-05T15:03:21.406Z' thumbnail: https://cdn-images.understood.org/p0qf7j048i0q/4sNPgaVMGhXC0DYnabDjD4/8d3f0f7bb54b4d033984b4c9cd4c5677/G871688604.jpg source_url: https://www.understood.org/en/articles/5-playground-activities-that-can-help-your-childs-development lang: en --- # 5 playground activities that can boost your child’s development Playgrounds are more than just fun places where your child can spend free time. They can help all kids develop important skills. Here’s how. ## 1. Swinging Swinging is a classic playground activity. It can boost your child’s development in a few ways. It helps with balance and teaches kids to know where their body is in space. It also gives practice with [fine motor skills](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/all-about-fine-motor-skills) (gripping the chain), [gross motor skills](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/all-about-gross-motor-skills) (pumping the legs to swing higher), and coordination (putting it all together). Swinging also helps the brain learn to make sense of speed and direction. ## 2. Climbing Climbing playground equipment or trees also helps kids build body awareness. They have to know where their body parts are and what to do with them. It can help kids learn directions like up, down, left, and right, too. Climbing also encourages problem solving and predicting what’s going to happen. “Where should my right foot go next? How will I get down from the top?” Practicing this kind of [flexible thinking](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/6-ways-kids-use-flexible-thinking-to-learn) can help on the playground and in the classroom. ## 3. Playing on overhead equipment Playing on overhead equipment helps kids build fine and gross motor skills. Kids practice little movements (gripping the bar) as well as big movements (swinging from one bar to the next). It's great for kids who have trouble with [motor planning](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/motor-planning-what-you-need-to-know), too. Learning to move one hand at a time from bar to bar helps kids practice coordination and balance. They also learn how to judge where the next bar is in relation to their body. ## 4. Free play Free play can mean anything from organized games to just running around with other kids. But it’s not just goofing around. Free play helps kids learn to communicate with other kids and practice conversation and vocabulary. Kids also have to follow rules, share, and take turns on the playground. These kinds of social interactions help kids practice [picking up on social cues](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/4-types-of-social-cues) like [body language](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/at-a-glance-helping-your-child-understand-body-language) and [tone of voice](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/how-to-help-your-child-notice-voice-pitch-and-tone). ## 5. Playing ball games Games like kickball, basketball, and four square all help with kids’ development. As they play, kids figure out how to hold on to, manipulate, and throw or kick a ball. This builds coordination. They also have to make decisions and come up with strategies on the fly, like whether to run to the next base. This helps with critical thinking and problem-solving. Explore more [activities to help kids build fine motor skills](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/6-fine-motor-activities-for-young-kids) and [gross motor skills](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/8-gross-motor-skills-activities-for-kids). --- ## Explore related topics and articles - [8 gross motor skills activities for kids](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/8-gross-motor-skills-activities-for-kids) - Kids develop gross motor skills at different rates. But when young kids have trouble with those skills, it can make gross motor activities like running, jumping, and throwing difficult. If your childs gross motor skills need a little extra help, try these fun activities. 1. Trampolines Using a tramp - [14 ways to help older kids build motor skills](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/14-ways-to-help-older-kids-build-motor-skills) - There are many activities to help kids develop fine and gross motor skills. But a lot of them are aimed at younger kids. Tweens and teens may prefer these 14 fun activities. Activities to improve gross motor skills 1. Trampolines Jumping on a trampoline is a great activity to improve balance. It ca - [8 activities to help your child explore strengths and passions](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/kids-activities-strengths) - Focusing on strengths is just as important as recognizing challenge areas. Encouraging your child to explore strengths and passions \(and take healthy risks\) can be a real self-esteem booster. Here are some activities to try. 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