Wheelbarrow Walking
Wheelbarrow Walking
Wheelbarrow walking is a great upper body and trunk strengthening activity, and can easily
be incorporated into a game. When wheelbarrow walking, you are strengthening your arms
and your trunk since you are activating a co-contraction
of muscles through the whole body to maintain the position. It is a great heavy work
activity that also incorporates motor planning.
The closer to the child’s body that you hold the legs, the easier it is for them, as the "holder " carries greater weight. If you want it to be easy, hold on the upper thighs or hips, and then
move out towards the knees and ankles to increase the difficulty level.
It can be great fun to challenge kids to perform a job or game while wheelbarrow walking.
Here are a few ideas: kids may need to put the pieces in their pocket or balance it on their
backs (hands are needed to “walk”.)
● Simple Puzzles: Put the pieces at one end of the room and the puzzle at the other end.
● Sorting socks: separate 6 pairs of socks. Put one of each sock at one end of the
room, and the other matching socks at the other.
● Letter matching, or match pictures.
● Using matchbox cars, get cars to the “garage”
● Balls or marbles to put down a “marble run”
● Wheelbarrow walk into a pile of cushions or pillows.
Winchester Public Schools OT Department 2020
Adapted from Therapy Fun Zones
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