MOVE · STAY PLAYFUL PROJECT
Move Like an Animal
Stretch your imagination with gentle animal-inspired movement.
- Ages 3+ with a grown-up
- 5–10 minutes
- Free activity
A LITTLE PREPARATION
Before you begin
Move with a grown-up nearby. Choose seated or standing movements that feel comfortable, keep space around you, and skip or stop any movement that hurts or feels unsteady.
What you’ll need
- A clear, comfortable space. A stable chair is optional.
A chance to practice
Explore imaginative movement, body awareness, and following simple directions.
YOUR ILLUSTRATED GUIDE
Watch & try
About 2 minutes of guidance.
As much playtime as you like.
Start a step, then take time to try it. Choose Next step whenever you’re ready. Captions stay on; sound is optional.
✳ Stay Playful ProjectStep 1 of 6Ready when you are.
Make a little room
Check that you have space for your arms. Sit comfortably or stand where you feel steady. Keep every movement small and gentle; imagining a movement counts too.
Which position feels comfortable today?
GO AT YOUR OWN PACE
Let’s give it a try.
Make a little room
Check that you have space for your arms. Sit comfortably or stand where you feel steady. Keep every movement small and gentle; imagining a movement counts too.
Which position feels comfortable today?
Float like a butterfly
Imagine light butterfly wings. Slowly open and close your hands, or gently move your arms out and in. Try it seated or standing, at your own pace.
Can your wings move very slowly?
Reach like a giraffe
Imagine spotting a leaf nearby. Gently reach one hand toward it, then bring your hand back. Keep the leaf within easy reach and try the other hand.
Where is your imaginary leaf?
Sway like a penguin
Imagine a penguin looking across the snow. Seated, gently move your hands from side to side. Standing, try a small comfortable sway with both feet on the ground.
What does your penguin see?
Go slowly like a turtle
Move one hand forward slowly, as if a tiny turtle is exploring. Pause, then bring it back. Let a partner lead a gentle movement and copy it if comfortable.
How slowly can your turtle explore?
Rest and imagine
Let your hands rest. Take a comfortable breath and notice how you feel. Choose your favorite animal to imagine again later, with or without movement.
Which animal would you like to be next?
Make it your own.
Make it simpler
Choose one animal and copy a grown-up’s small hand movement.
Try a new challenge
Invent a gentle movement for a new animal and invite someone to guess it.
Play your way
All animal ideas can be expressed with hands, facial expressions, words, or imagination. There is no required range or speed.
Stay Playful Project · stayplayfulproject.org/play-and-learn/move-like-an-animal/