How to teach balance to preschoolers: 90 gym activities
You teach balance to preschoolers by letting them walk, stand and move on gradually narrower and higher surfaces, starting on lines on the floor and moving to benches and low beams. This series of 90 activities is for toddler and preschool gym teachers who want playful, safe setups that build balance and body control.
90 video steps · preschool-balance
Step 1 of 90, free: Balance 1
The phases
- Static balance: stand still on one or two feet, on the floor and on low equipment.
- Dynamic balance: walk forward, backward and sideways on lines, benches and low beams.
- Balance with tasks: carry objects, step over obstacles or turn while balancing.
- Changing surfaces: move on soft, narrow, sloped or wobbly surfaces.
- Recovery: lose balance and step off safely, then try again.
Before you start
Suits toddlers and preschoolers from the stage where they can walk independently.
Common mistakes
- Starting too high or too narrow: children become fearful.
- Holding the child's hand all the time: the child does not learn to balance alone.
- Looking down at the feet: balance becomes unsteady.
- Moving too fast: control is lost and children fall off.
Coaching cues
- Eyes forward
- Arms out like a plane
- Slow feet
- Step down if you wobble
All 90 steps
- Balance 1
- Balance 2
- Balance 3
- Balance 4
- Balance 5
- Balance 6
- Balance 7
- Balance 8
- Balance 9
- Balance 10
- Balance 11
- Balance 12
- Balance 13
- Balance 14
- Balance 15
- Balance 16
- Balance 17
- Balance 18
- Balance 19
- Balance 20
- Balance 21
- Balance 22
- Balance 23
- Balance 24
- Balance 25
- Balance 26
- Balance 27
- Balance 28
- Balance 29
- Balance 30
- Balance 31
- Balance 32
- Balance 33
- Balance 34
- Balance 35
- Balance 36
- Balance 37
- Balance 38
- Balance 39
- Balance 40
- Balance 41
- Balance 42
- Balance 43
- Balance 44
- Balance 45
- Balance 46
- Balance 47
- Balance 48
- Balance 49
- Balance 50
- Balance 51
- Balance 52
- Balance 53
- Balance 54
- Balance 55
- Balance 56
- Balance 57
- Balance 58
- Balance 59
- Balance 60
- Balance 61
- Balance 62
- Balance 63
- Balance 64
- Balance 65
- Balance 66
- Balance 67
- Balance 68
- Balance 69
- Balance 70
- Balance 71
- Balance 72
- Balance 73
- Balance 74
- Balance 75
- Balance 76
- Balance 77
- Balance 78
- Balance 79
- Balance 80
- Balance 81
- Balance 82
- Balance 83
- Balance 84
- Balance 85
- Balance 86
- Balance 87
- Balance 88
- Balance 89
- Balance 90
Frequently asked questions
How can I make balance activities fun for toddlers?
Use stories, animals, colors and small challenges. Let children carry soft toys or walk to a target. Small changes, like a new target or a different way to walk, keep the same setup interesting.
When can preschoolers walk on a low beam?
Many preschoolers can try a low beam or bench once they walk steadily on a line. Start very low, with soft mats nearby, and let them hold a hand only as needed.
How much support should I give?
Offer just enough support for the child to feel safe and succeed. Reduce it step by step so the child learns to balance on their own.