FUN STRENGTHENING EXERCISES!!
General Principles
1. It is harder and takes more muscle effort to do movements slowly, so try to do
some of the following games in “slow motion”.
2. Kids with low muscle tone will often get tired faster than their friends. Try to
motivate them to do a little extra each time, but if they say that they are tired,
believe them (or the might be bored, in which case they would probably try a
different activity!).
3. Try to introduce only one or two new activities each time. Give your child time
to master one before moving onto the next. Include lots of activities that your
child is able to do to give him/her success.
4. Always give as much support as your child needs. Some kids will need a little
extra support when trying a new activity but once they are more confident they
will ask for less support.
5. Try to make it fun! These games are designed to be fun first and as a bonus
they help strengthen muscles!!
EXERCISES
Playing in a Squat Position
This takes a lot of muscle strength to maintain. If your child tends to fall back
into a sitting position fairly quickly, try:
 Placing the toy a little further in front of the child so that his/her
weight is forward.
 Put some toys up high so that your child has to get up and down
frequently, and therefore will be more likely to go down into a squat
position.
If your child is able to maintain and play in a squat position try:
 Getting her to reach as far as possible for toys, especially off to the
side.
 Walking like a duck.
Other Animal Walks
Animal walks are great for strengthening both arms and legs as well as working on
overall body coordination and motor planning. Try:
 Crab walk (belly up)
 Bear walk
 Elephant walk (use one arm or a leg for the trunk)
 Duck walk
 Have the child make up walks and try to guess what he/she is.
Freeze
This games works on the idea that it is more difficult to maintain a position than
change positions all the time. It is a fun group game.
 Get the children to move around a room, anyway they like. When you say
“Freeze” they have to stop and hold whatever position they are in for
about 5 to 10 seconds.
 If they are able to play this way, try turning it into freeze tag, in which
one person is “it”. When they tag another person that person has to
freeze until someone goes under his/her legs to free him/her.
Some Leg Exercise Games
1. Washing Machine – Have your child sit with feet together and knees on
ground. Pretend to put clothes in the “washing machine” (in the circle that
legs create) and then get him/her to bring his/her knees up and down as if
washing machine is working. You can also pretend to be a dryer and dry
clothes.
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2. Feed the Alligator – Have your child either sit with legs out in front (easier), or
lie on their side (harder). Have them open and close their legs as if their legs
were the alligator’s mouth. Think of fun and silly things to feed the alligator.
Try to get your child to keep his or her legs straight while doing this.
3. Make a Leg Bridge – have your child sit on a chair or the sofa. Place another
chair opposite them. Get them to lift their leg up to create a bridge from their
chair to the other chair and drive cars (or a favorite toy) across.
4. Be a Toll Bridge – have your child lie on the floor, belly up and knees bent. Get
him/her to lift up his/her bottom to allow cars/toys to drive underneath
him/her. Try to drive the cars slowly so that they have to hold it up for a
while!!
5. Be a Crab Taxi – Put toys on your child’s belly while he/she walks like a crab to
take them for a drive.
6. Be a “Toe Vacuum Cleaner” – Have your child stand up and pick things up with
his/her toes and put the items in a basket. Try to get him or her to reach
farther and farther to pick up the items. To make it even trickier, put the
basket up higher and encourage your child to keep his/her leg as straight as
possible.
7. Be a Big Giant – Take big steps and move very slowly. Hold your hands up and
be a little scary!
8. The “S-L-O-W Motion” Game – Try to see who can do things the slowest, for
example walking across a room, pretending to jump, stepping over a rope. Really
exaggerate how slowly you can do it.
9. BIG Steps – Try walking taking as big steps as possible. Try also stepping over
things, going upstairs placing one foot on each step if possible. Remember to
give as much help as is needed to make your child successful.
Other Games/Activities for Strengthening Legs and Improving Balance
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Hop scotch – start this as a jumping rather than a hopping game.
Bicycle riding.
Walking on uneven surfaces such as at the beach, in the forest, etc.
Climbing.
Swinging – get your child to pump his/her legs and to lean back and use his/her
body to move the swing.
6. Ball games such as soccer/kicking a ball.
7. Running games such as tag or catch.
8. Jumping rope – start with a thick rope and swing it as slowly as possible.
Make up any other games that your child enjoys. Try to get them to participate in
some kind of physical activity every day. Have lots of fun and watch your child get
stronger!
If you have any questions please call me at (250)492-0295 ext. 108!
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Therapist
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