A Balancing Act

Balance and coordination are an important part of a child's development. Children who are more active and are better in these areas often participate in more physical activities like sports or dance. Excelling and participating in these activities leads to high self-esteem in children. When children have a healthy outlet for energy they are able to concentrate and do better in school. Spinning, hopping, and jumping are how children learn balance and coordination. Below I have listed equipment that helps children attain balance and coordination skills while promoting an active lifestyle.

This is the Bilibo from Growing Tree Toys. It is so open-ended, it can be used as just about anything a child can dream up. Perfectly sized for a child to sit in, he or she can spin and spin!

I remember when my uncle made my cousin a balance board for Christmas one year, I was so jealous! Here is the Alex Monkey Balance Board from My Story House Toys.

Remember your teeter-totter or see-saw? "Teeter-totter bread and water, wash your hands in dirty water..." you would chant as you see-sawed back and forth. My brother and I loved ours when we were young. Here is a great alternative to plastic ones. The Small Paul Log Rocker from Modern Seed.

If the see-saw above is too bulky or expensive, have no fear, IKEA is here! Their Vippig Seesaw is more affordable and has a super cool design!

Are your kids bouncing off the walls? Now they don't have to. This First Jumper from Back to Basics is what they need to get the wiggles out! The handle bar is a nice safety feature.

These Alex Monster Clompers will be a fun challenge as children learn to walk with help from their hands pulling the rope.

This is such a cool concept! This is the Skuut bike, engineered in Sweeden. It teaches children to ride a bike without training wheels by allowing them to learn balancing techniques later needed on a real bike.

Another innovative toy from IKEA, the Snurrig Spin Around. A child sits on it and spins them self around. This model is nice because it is easier to store without the bulky, odd-shaped handle.

This is the classic Spin Around, from Back to Basics. Kids will have lots of fun dizzying themselves up on this!

A Pogo Stick is a great way for kids to learn balance. Think of all the work it takes to just stay on it, yet alone bounce around on it. This is also a classic toy from Back to Basics.