Part III...We Like to Move It...Preschool Movement Activities With A Purpose...Equipment (edited)

There will be a new group "We Like to Move It" where any participants of this series (or those just curious) may check in to ask any questions or have discussion.  I promise to check the group regularly and hope that it will be a source of encouragement

to continue the activities once we begin...and we are almost prepped to begin moving.  The new group should be up and active within a couple of days.

If you are joining the series with the reading of this article, you should read Part I and Part II first.  Now that we are all on the same page, this article will focus on props and equipment used in the activities.  Part IV and V will follow discussing attitude, yes...ours as the parent/instructor...and beginning activities.  The articles are being broken down further than I had anticipated because I really want to set you up for success in "playing" with your child. 

DO NOT PANIC when you begin reading the following list.  Many of these items, or acceptable substitutes, are already about your home somewhere...look, look, and look again.  Think creatively. The suggested items which you probably do not have are for the most part individually inexpensive.  Realize that it adds up if the entire stash is purchased at once.  That being said, the items would be money well-spent in lieu of trendy toys that break and only briefly hold your child's attention.  Open-ended toys such as those used in our activities provide limitless play for the imaginative child and parent.

• Miscellaneous Items:  paper plates (white, plain, cheap paper plates in their unadorned whiteness); bubbles (good ole bottles of the bubble liquid); plastic cups; scarves or bandannas; jump rope; masking tape; paper to crumple (recycle/reuse any around the house); child-size broom; balloons (not if you or your child are allergic to latex);  Frisbee; a couple of small beach pails
• Bean Bags:  Bean bags are used to teach/reinforce many skills...and with imagination they become anything.  I strongly recommend having a set of different color bean bags such as these or these.  Bean bags are used often and I prefer the primary colors.  They are inexpensive.  Also, maybe you could make some?  These would be a much needed item.
• Balls: A variety.  Have one ball that bounces and is a size easily managed two-handed by your child.  Also, a light weight inflatable ball, such as a beach ball; hand-size foam ball or two for squishing; and a bunch of those multicolor plastic balls used in ball pits (like these are so fun for the kids, no you do not need a ball pit).  Having at least fifty of these is way cool.  If you purchase them, they are usually sold in multiples of one hundred, perhaps you could split a pack with another parent?  Balls, too, are much needed for the activities and you probably have several.
• Hula Hoops:  Several (3-5), preferably in primary colors.  These specific ones are great (but expensive I just wanted to show an example) for many, many activities...thinking rolling wheels and mud puddles to splash.  Search for less expensive hoops or purchase some with other moms and share.  Whatever you use, hoops no larger than 24 inches are suggested for preschool age children.  Larger is difficult to handle/use in activities. Hoops are used a lot.
• Rhythm Sticks:  You cannot beat the fun of banging sticks together or on other surfaces.  And they make cool antennae or horns. I like the ridged ones because they are also great for rubbing together and for tactile/sensory experience with hands and feet.  These are cheap.  Got wooden dowels?  Cut those to an appropriate length and use.
• Colorful Mat:  For simple tumbling, jumping, crawling, scooting activities.  Tumbling mats are expensive, but those multicolor foam puzzle floor mats are not.. You will want a safe, soft surface for most activities.  Also, the blocks of color are great for laying out color/foot/movement patterns and we can incorporate the letters/numbers into the activities.  In any event just be certain to have a clear, open, safe area to play, carpet at the minimum.
• Parachute:  Nope, we will not be sky diving.  I am talking about this.  For you and 1-3 preschool children the smallest 6 foot size is fine.  Kids love a parachute.  I love a parachute.  Do you have a colorful, older bed sheet you cut cut into a circle, you could even cut it in square, that is manageable (the approximate 6 ft diameter suggested)?
• Large open storage bucket with handles:  Such as this one which I use in some activities and it is great for storing the props, etc.  If sturdy enough, possible use as the jump box mentioned below.  You can usually find them at you local department stores very inexpensively.  We always had loads of fun in class with the big bucket.
• Jump Box:  A small sturdy wooden box six to ten inches in height from which your child can jump...with your assistance.  Do you have one of the aerobic steps?  Those work great.  Don't  fret over this one...I am sure your child finds things to jump from *big big smile*.  How about a small, sturdy stool...be certain it has enough surface area for standing securely and a wide supportive base to prevent tipping.  See bucket note above.
• Balance Beam:  A small, low wooden one, but do not worry about this as they are expensive....we will talk alternatives later. Something such as this is an option, but you can also build a low beam from a 2x4 piece of lumber. 
• Music:  You must have music for movement...fast, slow, loud, quiet...all of it.  I have long lost the tapes I used years ago, and I had the perfect song for everything.  I will work on rounding up a good list to accompany some activities.

Deep breath in, exhale slooooowly.  Remember, search your house, the garage, creatively improvise if you do not have or cannot presently purchase items.  Ask me for any substitution suggestions I may not have mentioned.  You can "move it" with much less than you think.  The suggestions above are the perfect scenario and as parents, we know the perfect scenario rarely shows itself.  On to Part IV...

Edited to add:  Note:  All of the program descriptions and lesson plans provided are copyright Melody Sanders.  I do not mind your printing the articles for reference or even sharing them with friends.  However, please do not otherwise republish the articles electronically or in print without prior consent.  Please do not redistribute them for commercial use (monetary gain).  Thank you.

Note:  The links within this article are for information and clarification of items discussed.  They are not a solicitation nor encouragement to purchase these items from the linked source.  I receive no monetary gain, nor have an affiliation with these vendors' links.  The links are simply used to show the items which I attempted to describe and to give an estimation of costs.