Move & balance

Carry and sort walk

Move one large lightweight item at a time across a clear short route and place it into a matching floor-level group without speed or competition.

10 minutes

What you'll need

Six large lightweight items · Two wide unbreakable containers

Before you start

Child can walk independently on a clear level surface

Best fit: either · active energy · medium caregiver effort · low mess

How to play

  1. Place items and containers along a clear short route or side by side.
  2. Choose a visible sorting rule such as colour or type.
  3. Move one item at a time in any comfortable way, or sort without travelling.
Make it easier

Keep containers side by side and sort from a seated position.

Standard

Move one large lightweight item at a time across a clear short route and place it into a matching floor-level group without speed or competition.

Extend it

Let the child redesign the route or use a new sorting rule.

What you might notice

Notice how the child plans movement and sorting without focusing on speed.

Keep it safe

Use a clear, dry, level floor or ground area away from traffic, stairs, water and hard obstacles. Keep every challenge at floor level, supervise nearby, and let the child slow down or stop.

Why it may be useful

This adds a short burst of active play with room to practise balance, coordination and whole-body movement.

practice guidance

General movement guidance for healthy children; adapt for individual abilities and environments.

Truelove et al. (2017) — Defining and Measuring Active Play Among Young Children: A Systematic Review

Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (2026) — Recommendations for infants, toddlers and preschoolers (birth to 5 years)

Raising Children Network (2025) — Toddler play: ideas, games and activities

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