Move & balance

Follow the floor path

Follow a wide taped or chalk path on level ground, choosing different safe ways to travel along it.

10 minutes

What you'll need

Low-tack painter's tape indoors or washable chalk outdoors

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. Make one wide simple path on a clear level surface.
  2. Walk it together at a comfortable pace.
  3. Let the child add a turn or choose a new way to move without leaving floor level.
Make it easier

Use a short straight path and hold hands if requested.

Standard

Follow a wide taped or chalk path on level ground, choosing different safe ways to travel along it.

Extend it

Add a stop point or gentle curve chosen by the child. Keep all travel forward or sideways without carrying or speed.

What you might notice

Notice how the child plans turns, changes speed and adapts the route.

Keep it safe

A nearby caregiver uses low-tack tape that lies completely flat or washable outdoor chalk on a clear, dry, level surface. Keep away from stairs, roads and water; remove tape after play and stop if the surface becomes slippery.

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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