Visual–Spatial Play Ideas for Every Stage

Development in Action
Written By Toby Feiler

Visual–spatial skills aren’t something children “finish” once they reach a milestone. Each of the six Visual/Spatial Portals begins in the early years and keeps developing at higher, more complex levels throughout childhood and adolescence.

That means the same foundational skills — body awareness, space, problem-solving — look different at different ages. The good news is that you can support these skills through simple, playful activities.

1. Body Awareness and Sense

  • Toddlers: “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes,” clapping games.

  • Preschool/Elementary: Animal walks (bear, crab, frog), balancing on one foot.

  • Older Kids/Teens: Yoga, martial arts, dance routines.

2. Location of Body in Space

  • Toddlers: Crawling through tunnels, climbing cushions.

  • Preschool/Elementary: Obstacle courses, hopping between spots.

  • Older Kids/Teens: Sports drills, parkour-style challenges.

3. Relation of Objects to Self and Others

  • Toddlers: Peek-a-boo, rolling a ball.

  • Preschool/Elementary: Playing catch, tower-building with a friend.

  • Older Kids/Teens: Passing drills in sports, group choreography.

4. Conservation of Space

  • Toddlers: Hide-and-seek with toys, dropping blocks in boxes.

  • Preschool/Elementary: Treasure hunts (“look up, down, behind”), fort-building.

  • Older Kids/Teens: Map-reading, LEGO or Minecraft builds.

5. Visual Logical Reasoning

  • Toddlers: Cause-and-effect toys (pop-up boxes, push-button toys).

  • Preschool/Elementary: Mazes, marble runs, matching games.

  • Older Kids/Teens: Tangrams, Set®, Rush Hour®, coding puzzles.

6. Representational Thought

  • Toddlers: Pretend play (blocks as cars, scarves as capes).

  • Preschool/Elementary: Storytelling with toys, puppet shows.

  • Older Kids/Teens: Drama, creative writing, strategy video games.

The Big Picture

Each Visual/Spatial Portal builds on the one before it. As children grow, these skills don’t disappear — they keep expanding into new challenges. By meeting kids where they are and gently stretching the next step, we can strengthen the foundations for learning, play, and confidence at any age.

📌 New to the idea of Visual/Spatial Portals?
Start with our overview: Visual Portals: How Visual–Spatial Skills Shape Learning

If you’d like support building your child’s visual–spatial skills through play and movement, we’d be happy to talk with you.

Toby Feiler
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Visual Portals: How Visual–Spatial Skills Shape Learning and Development