Helpful Tips for Parents

• Dance is one of the most complete physical activities for preschoolers: it develops bilateral coordination, rhythm, balance, spatial awareness, and emotional expression simultaneously.

• Water play (pools, sprinklers, water tables) is among the most physically intensive activities available — children move constantly and use their whole body without realizing they're exercising.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does physical activity affect my preschooler's sleep?

Physical activity is one of the strongest positive predictors of sleep quality and duration in preschoolers. Children who have sufficient vigorous physical activity during the day fall asleep faster, sleep more deeply, and wake less frequently than sedentary peers. The timing matters: vigorous activity in the late afternoon or evening (within 1–2 hours of bedtime) can delay sleep for some children — schedule the most vigorous play before 5pm when possible.

Related reading: See also our outdoor chalk activities and our obstacle course guide for more ideas on this topic.

🎓 Skills Your Child Will Develop

• 🎵 Rhythm & Timing — Moving to a beat, keeping rhythm in marching or clapping, and coordinating movement to music develops the temporal processing that underlies both musical ability and the phonological timing needed for reading.
• 🧭 Spatial Awareness — Moving through and around obstacles, understanding where their body is in space, and following directional instructions develops the spatial body awareness that sports, dance, and coordinated movement require.
• 💪 Strength Building — Age-appropriate strength challenges — climbing, pushing, carrying, and holding body weight — build the muscle development that children need for endurance, injury resistance, and the hand strength that fine motor tasks require.
• 😌 Emotional Regulation — Physical activity is one of the most effective emotional regulation tools available to preschoolers — vigorous movement releases stress hormones and resets the nervous system for calm, focused engagement with other tasks.

Dance Along With Princess Katie and Racer Steve

There is no disputing that dancing can be a fantastic preschool fitness activity. While there are no rules for finding the right music to dance to, keep your young dance partner in mind. Preschoolers like music that is upbeat and fun. And what could be more fun for parents than songs they enjoy listening to as well? Let's face it, if a preschooler finds a song they enjoy, you are likely to be hearing it over and over again.

That's why the Princess Katie and Racer Steve CD, Songs for the Coolest Kids , is such a pleasure. With fun songs that communicate a variety of life lessons, your preschooler will enjoy jumping, dancing, and bouncing to the lively songs. Parents, grandparents, and caregivers will enjoy that the songs have a message, yet never seem preachy. Each song on the CD discusses how to express emotions and tackles topics like bullying and being kind to others.

Luh Yuh! Dance Activity

Luh Yuh! is a great, upbeat song that really makes little bodies start to wiggle. One of the fun aspects of this type of song is that there are opportunities to "act out" the lyrics. This makes it especially silly and fun, resulting in a fun fitness activity that you can do any time, with just the press of a play button! Fitness activities, like dancing, that are readily available are one of the easiest ways to incorporate movement because there is no set up involved.

Play Princess Katie and Racer Steve's Luh Yuh! and act out the following:

"I love you when you go to bed

And I kiss you on your wee head"

Act out "love" with a hug or the sign language symbol of crossed arms over your chest; give a smooch when the song mentions it.

"I love you when you wake up

And your skin is warm to the touch"

Stretch arms up high for waking up; hug your body for the warm touch.

Try out your own movements while singing and dancing along. There are lots of fun opportunities to jump and spin. At the end, give your preschooler a big hug and lots of loving!

Even More Princess Katie and Racer Steve Fun!

Why let the dance fun end there? With a CD full of energetic tunes, you will have no shortage of fun preschool dancing activities to act out together. To add to the fun:

Dress up like Princess Katie and Racer Steve.

If your preschooler has a stash of dress up clothes, put on your tiara and get ready to boogie. Little boys can easily become a race car driver, just like Racer Steve.

****

Get out those musical instruments.

More opportunities to move and shake are as close as your toy box or basket of musical instruments. Try them all out and you can play in the band too!

****

Incorporate other props.

The options are limitless. Make your own guitars out of rubber bands and tissue boxes, use scarves to flop and float through the air for some terrific arm movements, or pick up anything that remotely resembles a microphone to sing along. With Princess Katie and Racer Steve's great lyrics, you and your preschooler can put on a great show.

More Princess Katie & Racer Steve Fun

Show Your Emotions Preschool Activity

Does your preschooler like to show his/her emotions? Does s/he like to draw too? Then this preschool activity is perfect and as easy as drawing a happy face.

Kings and Princesses Preschool Crowns and Tiaras

Your preschooler can feel like a king, queen, prince, or princess with their very own crown or tiara. You can make them from leftover metallic gift boxes or poster board, or you can decorate