Growing Through Play: Physical Development

When little ones play, they’re doing more than just having fun — they’re building strong, capable bodies. Physical development is one of the most visible and essential parts of a child’s early growth, and play is the perfect vehicle for nurturing it.

From wobbly first steps to confident climbing and jumping, every movement helps refine motor skills, coordination, balance, and strength. In this blog, we’ll explore why physical development matters, how different types of play support it, and offer practical tips — along with a few favourite products from Playfaire.co.uk to help your child grow with confidence.

Physical development in early childhood typically falls into two categories:

• Gross motor skills: These are large movements like crawling, walking, running, climbing, and jumping.

• Fine motor skills: These are small, controlled movements using hands and fingers — like stacking blocks, picking up tiny objects, or turning pages.

Developing both is vital for a child’s independence, confidence, and future success. Gross motor skills lay the foundation for everything from playground fun to school sports, while fine motor control supports writing, dressing, and self-care.

Importantly, these physical skills don’t just “happen.” They’re refined through repeated movement, exploration, and — you guessed it — play.

The best way to strengthen muscles and improve coordination is to encourage regular movement through play. Here are the key ways play supports physical development:

Running, dancing, climbing, and riding all build strength and endurance. Outdoor play in particular encourages full-body movement and spatial awareness.

Toys and activities that involve pushing, pulling, stacking, or balancing help children gain control over their movements and understand how their bodies relate to the world around them.

Simple activities like threading beads, building towers, or turning puzzle pieces sharpen hand control and coordination, which are crucial for tasks like writing and feeding.

Active play sets the stage for a healthy lifestyle. It helps regulate mood and sleep, improves focus, and strengthens muscles and bones.

Physical development doesn’t need fancy tools — just space, encouragement, and the right kinds of play.

Now they’re on the move! Focus on mobility and coordination.

• Offer push-and-pull toys to support walking and balance.

• Introduce stacking Cupsto refine hand control.

• Encourage dancing or obstacle courses to improve coordination.

Playfaire Pick:

📦 Little Dutch Stacking Toys — beautifully made and sized just right for small hands, these help build both fine motor skills and problem-solving. There are plenty to choose from, stacking trains to rocking stackers to Rainbow stackers.

These little ones love to test their limits — and their bodies.

• Include trikes, ride-ons, or balance bikes for gross motor strength.

• Add puzzles, threading sets, or magnetic tiles for hand precision.

• Give space for jumping, climbing, and running.

Playfaire Pick:

🧲 Connetix Magnetic Tiles — not only are they great for creativity and STEM skills, they also support spatial awareness and dexterity as children build and manipulate them.

You don’t need a giant playroom or garden to support physical play. Try these ideas to make your home a more movement-friendly space:

• Rotate toys to keep things fresh and challenging. - for information and tips  on toy rotation check out our other blogs on Toy Rotation

• Use everyday objects — like cushions, laundry baskets, or tunnels — for obstacle courses or climbing fun.

• Set up small zones: a soft play corner for babies, a craft and building table for toddlers, and an open space for gross motor play.

• Join in! Movement is contagious, and your child will love seeing you get involved.

It’s helpful to be aware of general milestones for physical development (like crawling by 9 months or walking around 12–18 months), but every child develops at their own pace. If your child is enjoying active play, exploring their environment, and showing curiosity, they’re likely right on track.

If you do have concerns about your child’s physical development, speak to your health visitor, GP, or early years educator for guidance.

Discover More at Playfaire.co.uk

Explore our collection of thoughtful, beautifully made toys that support physical development — from soft baby rattles to stacking sets and magnetic tiles. Every product is chosen with care to help your little one grow through play.