Common moves performed in tumbling include rolls, somersaults, tucks, handstands, backbends, handsprings, leg splits, cartwheels and round-offs.

Tumbling helps children develop bilateral motor skills, balance and co-ordination, as well as cardiovascular fitness, strength, flexibility and agility.

In this article, For Kids will illustrate 10 games and moves that pertain to tumbling for kids and toddlers, which can be performed at home if you follow along with a YouTube video of each skill.

Tumbling for toddlers

Table of Contents

• 1. Tumbling basics
• 2. Tumbling Equipment
• 3. Safety tips
• 4. Ten Tumbling games
• 5. References

Tumbling for kids: How to get started

Tumblers should start with the most basic tumbling skills, which are the forward roll, backward roll and cartwheel.

After mastering these basic skills, children can move on to learning one of the most-used skills in the sport: the round-off.

As they progress in tumbling, the number of twists and rolls included in each run will increase, and the sport will become more exciting.

Tumbling equipment

The only equipment needed to perform tumbling is a space area with a gymnastics exercise mat, which can usually be found in a gymnasium.

In competitive tumbling, a sophisticated 25-meter sprung track is used to help the athletes to perform the high-level dynamic skills.

Beginners can also use trampolines and springboards to learn and practice aerial skills before performing them on the floor.

Safety tips

Tumbling is a fun activity, but it can also be dangerous if it’s not taken seriously. Here are some safety tips for you to consider:

1. Learn the basics correctly before moving on to advanced skills.
2. Warm-up properly before starting your tumbling workout, and do some stretches at the end of each session.
3. Performing tumbling moves inside a matted gymnasium with the guidance of qualified coaches is the best way to learn.

Read more about safety tips during activities and exercises for kids.

10 tumbling games for toddlers

1. Forward Rolls/Somersaults

Divide the group into pairs or have the students choose partners.

Steps:

1. Beginning in a crawl position, tuck your head into your chest and push your bottom up and over until you roll over.
2. If necessary, a child can assist their partner by pushing their bottom over and placing their own hand on their partner’s head to help their partner keep their chin tucked under.
3. Repeat this exercise five times.

2. Backward Rolls

Divide the group into pairs or have the students choose partners.

If the children are just learning to do a backward roll, demonstrate the move first before teaching the children to do it.

You may want an adult—or another partner—to assist them at first so they can feel the correct movement.

Steps: 

1. Sit on the edge of a mat with your knees and chin tucked into your chest.
2. Place your hands on either side of your head, just above your ears, with your palms up.
3. If you need help, your partner can place one hand on your head to aid you with keeping it tucked, and one hand on your bottom to help you lift it up and over.
4. Rock backward and forward, remaining in the tucked position.
5. As you gain confidence, rock harder, until you rock far enough back that your palms will touch the mat.
6. When you’re comfortable, change your starting position slightly. Instead of sitting, get into the appropriate tuck position while you’re balanced on your feet.
7. Repeat the rocking movement from the new starting point until you’re ready for a break.

Helpful Advice:

• As a tumbler, be sure to keep your hands in place, as protection for your head and neck.
• Push strongly with your hands when they touch the mat, in order to complete your backward roll.
• If necessary, your partner can ease you over by using your hips as a handhold.
• As you become more confident, you can begin the move with your hands starting on the mat and quickly bring them up by your ears as you begin to rock backward.

Do a total of five backward rolls. With practice, you’ll improve your form and speed!

3. Cartwheels

When doing a cartwheel, the child must move sideways in a straight line.

They must keep their back straight and place the hand of their leading side on the ground, followed by the other hand.

Their legs must pass over their body and then come down as their hands and body come up to a standing position.

A cartwheel can be performed by using one, two or no hands.

This is just a sideways motion, so it really doesn’t matter whether the legs are straight or bent, as long as the body turns over in a sideways motion.

Steps: 

1. Always start a cartwheel with a lunge. The stronger leg leads the lunge, and the weaker leg is in the back.
2. During the lunge, raise your arms straight into the air and keep your hips squared in the forward direction.
3. Push off your front leg and place your hands shoulder-width apart (or wider) on the ground in front of you.
4. Begin to kick your legs up and over your torso and head as the body becomes inverted.
5. During the rotation, keep your legs straight and apart, in a wide straddle. Keep your toes and feet pointed.
6. As your first foot hits the ground, follow it closely with the second foot. Land in a lunge with the weaker leg in front and the lead leg in back.
7. Repeat this exercise 10 times.

4. Round-Offs

A round-off is just like a cartwheel, except that you land with your two feet together on the ground instead of one foot at a time, facing the direction from which you came.

This is achieved by twisting your hands and shoulders as you place your hands on the ground.

The two hands are generally placed down one after the other while you’re kicking your feet up and bringing your legs together, with your feet together.

For practice with round-offs, repeat this entire exercise 10 times.

5. Assisted Handstands

Prop: A wall

Divide the group into pairs or have the students choose partners.

Steps:

1. Ask your partner to grab your ankles in a handstand position, or use a wall to help keep your balance and increase your upper-body strength.
2. Stand about 3 feet away from the wall and lift your hands above your head.
3. While keeping your arms straight having them touch your ears, step forward, throw your hands down and kick upward. The kick will give you more momentum.
4. Kick one leg in front of you and take a large step forward with that leg, as far as it feels comfortable to you. Keep a straight line from your fingertips to your back foot.
5. Start to lean forward while keeping your body straight. Make sure you add a bit of forward force with your lunged leg and back foot. (The most common mistake is to throw your hands straight down to the ground and try to throw your legs upward at the same time. This results in a whip at the top, and causes you to fall forward.)
6. Once your hands are approaching the ground, keep your arms perfectly straight. Your legs will touch the wall for support.
7. Repeat this exercise five times.

Read more about gymnastics:
What are the different types of Gymnastics you know?
How to choose Gymnastics equipment for rhythmic gymnastics?
Benefits of Gymnastics for Toddlers & best age to start

6. Solo Handstands

Steps:

1. Stand up straight and lift your hands above your head.
2. Make sure your arms are straight and they’re touching your ears. Step forward and then throw your hands down on the ground.
3. Kick up; this will give you more momentum. Kick one leg in front of you and take a large step forward with that leg, as far as it feels comfortable to you. Make sure you keep your body in a straight line, from your fingertips to your back foot.
4. Start to lean forward while keeping your body straight. Make sure you add a bit of forward force with your lunged leg and back foot. (As with the assisted handstand, the most common mistake is to throw your hands straight down to the ground and try to throw your legs upward at the same time. This results in a whip at the top and causes you to fall forward. Keep straight!)
5. Once your hands are approaching the ground, keep your arms perfectly straight. Don’t let your elbows bend or your shoulders sag upward. If you bend your arms, you’ll risk hurting yourself. If you do this part right, it’ll help you keep your balance!
6. When you feel most of your weight on your hands, attempt to keep the force of your weight around the base of your fingers. This will allow you to push forward or backward with your hands to compensate when you kick too hard or not hard enough. (You might need to try this a few times before you find balance. Soon, you’ll get it almost every time. Just keep all the weight on your hands.)
7. Straighten out completely.
8. After successfully hitting the handstand, keep your head neutral and your back and legs straight. Look past your eyebrows to see your hands, instead of throwing your head back, which will only result in you arching your back and potentially hurting it.
9. Try holding your handstand for 10 seconds.

7. Stay Within the Lines

Props: A roll of easily removable tape

Steps: 

1. Make two lines on the floor with tape. They should be 12 inches apart and 10 feet long.
2. Tell the children to practice doing Forward Rolls/Somersaults within the lines.
3. Travel through the lines 10 times.

Variation: When that skill is mastered, decrease the distance between the lines an inch at a time, until the lines are only 6 inches apart.

8. Leg Splits

Steps: 

1. Sit on the floor with your legs straight and your toes pointed.
2. Stretch to get your nose as close to your knees as you can. Hold this position for 30 seconds.
3. Flex your feet while still holding your nose as far down as possible.
4. Next, sit in a wide straddle and attempt to place your elbows on the floor. Hold this stretch for 30 seconds.
5. Reach your hands as far out as possible while attempting to put your nose on the floor. Again, hold this stretch for 30 seconds.
6. Place either leg in front and lunge from your knee; your rear knee will be on the floor with your front foot far in front. Hold for 30 seconds and then sit back.
7. Straighten the front leg and try to place your nose on your knees.
8. Slide as far into the split as you are able.
9. Repeat these stretches on the other side. Remember to hold each position for 30 seconds!

Helpful Advice: Never bounce while stretching or push yourself when it’s painful.

9. Backbends

Props: Soft pillows or a mat for each pair 

Divide the group into pairs or have the players choose partners. Do this gymnastics exercise slowly; don’t just fall backward into a backbend. Control yourself and don’t rush.

Steps: 

1. To begin a backbend, start with your legs spread shoulder-width apart. If you’ve never tried to do this before, have a partner hold you by the waist so you can practice getting into a backbend position with support that should help you prevent your core from collapsing.
2. Keep your arms close to your ears without touching them, and carefully place your hands on the floor.
3. Repeat this exercise 3 times.

Note: Working in pairs, one person can serve as a spotter. It’s especially helpful if the partner is an adult.

10. Backbend Kick-Overs

Steps: 

1. Get into a backbend position and simply kick your strong leg up and over. Have your weaker leg just behind that leg. Jumping with the leg that doesn’t kick over will help put you into motion so you can complete this.
2. Make sure you land with your arms up and your feet together.
3. Repeat this tumbling exercise three times.

References:

usagym.org.

image 2: Pixabay; image 3: Pixabay

Several other ancient societies have also documented various types of gymnastic sport in relation to conditioning and health.

The more modern competitive gymnastics is based on the work of Freidrich Jahn, who developed apparatuses including rings, parallel bars, pommel horses and horizontal bars, with the primary purpose of developing and training strength.

There are three gymnastics groups and each group includes many types of gymnastics.

The health goal of all types is to support human health in general, as gymnastics is aimed at developing and improving a person’s physical qualities.

In this article, For Kids will tell you all about the different forms of gymnastics, including what is official and what is not, and the purpose of each type.

Types of gymnastics

Table of Contents

• 1. Official gymnastic types
• 2. Improving gymnastics
• 3. Applied gymnastics
• 4. References

Official types of gymnastics

a. Artistic gymnastics

Men’s artistic gymnastics

Men’s gymnastics started during the first Olympic Games and is the oldest and most popular form of gymnastics.

Males compete individually and in teams throughout six different activities:

• Floor exercises
• Pommel horse
• Vaults
• Rings
• High bars
• Parallel bars

Women’s artistic gymnastics

This is the best-known form of gymnastics with the largest number of participants.

Women compete for individual and team titles in four different competitions:

• Uneven parallel bars
• Vault
• Floor exercises

Female gymnastics is often considered a perfect combination of strength, flexibility and elegance.

b. Rhythmic gymnastics

Rhythmic gymnastics has been part of the Olympic Games since 1984 and only females can participate.

A single woman or a team of five compete with five different apparatuses, including:

• Ropes
• Hoops
• Clubs
• Balls
• Ribbons

You may also be interested in reading about how to choose gymnastics equipment for rhythmic gymnastics.

c. Acrobatic gymnastics

Acrobatic gymnastics is part of the United States and International Youth Olympics Program.

The team consists of two to four people of the same sex or mixed.

Players perform a show without using external instruments. They jump, hold, and balance on each other, while other team members throw and catch up with their teammates.

d. Trampoline

Trampoline is quite a new kind of gymnastics, recognized at the Olympic Games in 2000 and beyond.

In the trampoline event, the gymnast uses a double mini-trampoline to perform tricks.

In synchronous events, two athletes perform on two different trampolines simultaneously.

Both women and men can participate in this type of gymnastics.

e. Power tumbling

A power tumbling game is performed on a sprung tumbling track, where gymnasts do an explosive series of flips and twists.

A tumbling pass consists of a series of eight elements that are more complex and require a high level of skill.

Improving gymnastics skills

General gymnastics

Running, walking briskly and overcoming obstacles will all improve your motor skills.

Hygienic gymnastics

Light exercises without weights or gymnastics equipment will increase your overall muscle tone and improve your well-being.

Power gymnastics

Exercises with weights such as dumbbells, kettlebells or a barbell develop strength and enhance endurance, which will ultimately contribute to muscle building.

Rhythmic gymnastics

Energetic, rhythmic exercises (also known as cardio exercises) performed to music are aimed at burning calories and training the heart muscle.

Applied gymnastics

Therapeutic

These gymnastics classes improve the state of a patient’s health. They’re conducted under the supervision of a physician.

Usually, elements of therapeutic gymnastics are used for diseases of the respiratory organs, the cardiovascular system and the musculoskeletal system.

Military-applied gymnastics

This type of gymnastics improves the qualities required for military operations.

Sports-applied gymnastics

Gymnastic elements are used by professional athletes who compete in other sports while they’re preparing for competitions.

Profession-applied gymnastics

Gymnastics exercises are adapted to certain professions that require physical exertion. This type of gymnastics is often used by astronauts, firefighters, rescuers and pilots.

References

• Gymnastics book – Kolt, Gregory S. – Caine, Dennis J. – Western Sydney University.
• Wikipedia – Types of Gymnastics
• gymnastics-rhythmic – olympic.org
• gymnastics-artistic – olympic.org

A single player or a team of five players will try to earn the most points, determined by a panel of judges, for leaps, balances, pirouettes (pivots), apparatus handling and execution.

Athletes in rhythmic gymnastics use one or two of the following five pieces of equipment in their performances:

• Rhythmic gymnastics hoop
• Rhythmic gymnastics ball
• Rhythmic gymnastics clubs
• Rhythmic gymnastics ribbon
• Rhythmic gymnastics jump rope

Rhythmic gymnastics ribbon

The ribbon curled in the hands of the gymnast will always attract the eyes of the spectators.

The satin or viscose strip is attached with a carbine or pigtail of nylon to the stick, which is a conical (cylindrical) shape.

Athletes use ribbons up to four meters long in training and demonstrations.

A huge choice of colours will allow you to advantageously complement the gymnast’s costume, which is known as a rhythmic gymnastics leotard, with their ribbon.

How to choose the right ribbon for rhythmic gymnastics

Tips for the care and storage of gymnastic tape:

• Wash it in a warm soapy solution, making sure the water temperature isn’t higher than 30 degrees Celsius.
• Use shampoo for washing.
• Use starch to save its elasticity.
• Before a performance, treat the tape with an anti-static agent, so it won’t stick to the costume.
• Keep the tape tightly screwed onto the coil.

Rhythmic gymnastics rope

The jumping rope is the first apparatus in rhythmic gymnastics that female athletes will learn to use.

A 2.5-meter long rope made of cotton or polyester is suitable for toddlers and young gymnasts. This material is light, well-flying and soft, and it won’t hurt the legs when it falls.

For experienced gymnasts, a 3-meter nylon rope is recommended.

This type of rope is heavy and dense. It’ll retain its shape during flight and won’t change the trajectory of the throw.

Tips for the care and storage of gymnastic rope:

• Protect them from moisture.
• Wipe sweat off a rope immediately after training, with a dry cloth.
• Don’t wash it.
• Store it in a case.

Rhythmic gymnastics ball

These gymnastic balls are manufactured via high-quality rubber or rubber alloy.

On the balls of the Sasaki trademark, an additional coat is applied that gives an extra grip to the arm, which makes it easier for the gymnast to roll, catch and do a figure eight.

The standard gymnastic ball

The standard ball has a diameter of 18.5 centimeters and a weight of 400 grams, and is recommended for athletes from 10 years old and up.

For younger gymnasts and girls below 130 centimeters tall, choose a 15-centimeter ball. Before buying it, let the athlete pick up the ball and test it in the store.

On the market, the balls are presented in a diverse color palette, so you can choose one that suits your gymnastics leotards.

Best Rhythmic Gymnastics balls

Glitter HV Rhythmic Gymnastics Ball 18 cm

AllPlay Rhythmic Gymnastic Exercise Ball

Gymnic Ritmic 400 Gymnastics Ball

Mini Exercise Ball with Pump – 9 Inch

Glitter HV Rhythmic Gymnastics Ball 18 cm

AllPlay Rhythmic Gymnastic Exercise Ball

Gymnic Ritmic 400 Gymnastics Ball

Mini Exercise Ball with Pump – 9 Inch

You may also want to read about the benefits of Gymnastics for Toddlers & best age to start.

Tips for the care and storage of gymnastic balls:

• For pumping up balls from the Sasaki brand, use a pump of the same brand.
• When inflating a ball, moisten the pump needle with water.
• Wash each ball with soap foam.
• Store each ball only in the case or a special cover.
• Protect balls from direct sunlight, as temperature changes are not good for rubber.

Rhythmic gymnastics hoops

Here, we’re only interested in professional hoops. Professional hoops are made of durable plastic.

During classes and performances, they aren’t subjected to deformation, as it’s difficult to bend and break them.

The official weight of a rhythmic gymnastics hoop is 300 grams.

Buy a white hoop, and you’ll be able to change the color. To do this, use colored ribbons with a sticky layer, or acrylic paints.

How to choose the right hoop for rhythmic gymnastics

In the following table, you’ll learn how to choose the right hoop for rhythmic gymnastics, according to the age and height of the gymnast:

Tips for the care and storage of a professional hoop:

• Plastic doesn’t like temperature changes. Don’t expose the hoop to the effects of high temperatures and direct sunlight.
• Buy or sew a case for storage.
• Store the hoop only horizontally, in an upright position, or the hoop may become imperceptibly deformed.
• A cotton pad moistened with sunflower oil will help clean sticky spots off the hoop.

Best Rhythmic Gymnastics Hoops

Liberry Kids Hula Hoop, Detachable & Size Adjustable

VENSEEN Hula Hoop for Kids, Detachable

Liberry Hula Hoop for Kids Set

Liberry Kids Hula Hoop, Detachable & Size Adjustable

VENSEEN Hula Hoop for Kids, Detachable

Liberry Hula Hoop for Kids Set

Rhythmic gymnastics clubs

When buying clubs, give preference to combined multi-piece clubs or soft rubber shells.

A combined club’s rubber head is connected to a plastic handle, so girls won’t be afraid of throwing up the club, catching it and performing various tricks.

How to choose the right club size for rhythmic gymnastics

You should take into account the age range:

• 36 centimeters for gymnasts three to seven years old
• 40 to 41 centimeters for gymnasts eight to 11 years old
• 44 to 45 centimeters for gymnasts over 11 years old

The standard apparatus weighs 150 grams, and for children, 100 grams.

On the market, clubs are presented in different colors. You can add your own touch with colored tape, rhinestones or stickers.

Tips for the care and storage of a club:

• Wipe each one with a damp, soft cloth.
• A cotton pad moistened with sunflower oil will help remove sticky spots.
• Keep the shell in the case only.

Summary

When buying rhythmic gymnastics equipment, you must remember that items with a manufacturer’s logo and a “Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique ‘FIG’ approved logo” mark are only allowed for performances.

Standards and characteristics for each apparatus are listed in the FIG standards for gymnastic items.

Control over the observance of standards for gymnastic equipment is provided by the panel of judges.

Don’t wait, and start gymnastics for toddlers as soon as possible, as it’s recommended that you start at an early age.

• Rhythmic Gymnastics sport – Wikipedia
• Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique

You might wonder about the topic “Gymnastics for toddlers and babies,” and be asking yourself if it’s acceptable to send a toddler of only two to three years of age to gymnastics.

But believe it or not, some gyms have gymnastic classes for children and babies, starting from the age of four months. There are huge benefits to starting gymnastics for kids at that early age.

In this article, For Kids will let you know about all the benefits of gymnastics for toddlers and provide you with an answer to the question, “What age should a child start gymnastics?”

Gymnastics for toddlers

Table of Contents

• 1. Benefits
• 2. Best age
• 3. Disadvantages
• 4. Types
• 5. Skills
• 6. Psychology
• 7. Summary
• 8. References

10 benefits to starting gymnastics classes for toddlers at an early age

Why is gymnastics good for toddlers?

• It increases the muscle density and the strength of toddlers so they can become fit.
• It helps kids to learn how to balance themselves.
• Kids build up their gripping strength by hanging from bars and learning to swing.
• Toddlers may even learn how to do forward rolls when tumbling.
• It helps kids with hand, eye and foot coordination and visual tracking, by making use of balls and bubbles.
• Children learn how to listen to parents and follow directions.
• It’s a gateway to other sports such as soccer, volleyball and handball.
• It aids with the development of key milestones for babies: physically, mentally and socially.
• Gymnastics improves the self-confidence of the child, making kids feel good about themselves.
• Gymnastic classes are usually full of fun, and the kids love to go.

The best age to start gymnastics for kids

The optimal age for a child to start a serious kids gymnastics class is five years old, but some sections of gymnastics accept children at two or three years.

Some gyms and academies have gymnastics classes for babies from the ages of 4 to 10 months old, and then 10 to 19 months, proceeding all the way up through grade school.

At first,, children perform exercises for general physical development. This is the preparatory stage for more special and difficult elements of gymnastics.

After general training, tots can participate in gymnastics programs that combine tumbling and beam and bar activities.

Reading about how to choose rhythmic gymnastics equipment may also help curious parents out.

Disadvantages of playing gymnastics for children

1. Negative impact on growth

Constant training, which increases muscle mass and the load on the spine of the child, can have an impact on development and growth.

Most parents note that a tot grows poorly while children in adolescence noticeably stretch.

Trainers explain this via the peculiarities of genetics and the fact that children with low stature are often selected for professional sports, since their stature will allow them to achieve success in international competitions in the future.

2. Risk of injuries

To an unprepared person, jumping and exercises on a vaulting horse and parallel bars seem dangerous and threatening to the health of the future champion.

In fact, up to the age of seven, a child should be engaged in general physical training. Only after two to three years of classes should they move on to special elements.

Each element is worked on in detail, gradually, but unfortunately, this doesn’t reduce the percentage of injury to zero.

3. Delayed puberty

In young girls, due to the load on the body, late puberty and problems with the menstrual cycle have been noted in gymnastics. In principle, this can occur within any sport.

Types of gymnastics

There are actually seven official types of gymnastics games:

1. Men’s Artistic Gymnastics
2. Women’s Artistic Gymnastics
3. Rhythmic Gymnastics
4. Tumbling
5. Acrobatic Gymnastics
6. Trampoline
7. Group Gymnastics

General skills for beginners in gymnastics

Beginners usually learn falling movements on the floor when starting to learn gymnastics skills.

This is a necessary skill they acquire before entering into more complex stunts.

The practicing of this movement will lead to the person’s ability to perform other techniques (such as the ones outlined below) smoothly and achieve the correct physical posture.

1. Forward roll

Steps:

1. Put your hands on the floor in front of you and bend your elbows.
2. Put your head in your arms and flex your chin.
3. Push your legs to the top of your back while letting your body roll forward and your hands press on your head. Follow the curve of your spine as you roll.

2. Backward roll

Steps:

1. As soon as your butt and back touch the floor, bend your arms and reach behind your ears.
2. Your hands should grab the floor as you continue to retreat on your shoulders. This will protect your body and remove any pressure from your neck and head.
3. Finish the roll, letting momentum pull your legs and hips over your head.
4. When (and only when) your buttocks roll vertically over your body, you must press your arms on the floor to complete the rotation and land on your feet.

A psychological portrait of the gymnast

The main features of gymnasts include endurance, patience, perseverance and resilience of character.

A child must be purposeful about executing movements and be ready to perform the same elements within a performance. 

A lack of fear and self-confidence play a significant role in development because you have to make progressive jumps, climb high on the horizontal bar and perform a variety of exercises on a pommel horse. 

The psychological attitude of each child will be reflected in their future results. Therefore, the earlier you teach a child to focus and overcome failures, the better.

Summary

Gymnastics is a sport that requires a tremendous amount of endurance, patience and skills. 

It’s a sport that hardens your child for the rest of your life and is considered a gateway to other sports for kids.

The child will learn to overcome difficulties and fear, to suffer defeats and to rely only on themselves.

All the elements are executed alone, with instructions from coaches, and the end result of each will depend only on the child.

A gymnast comes to understand how to take responsibility and realize that something like a sprained palm isn’t the end of a sports career.

By having success in the school of gymnastics, a child will learn how to set goals and achieve the impossible through their own efforts.

You can do a Google search for “gymnastic academy for toddlers near me” to find lists of the nearest academies and camps available in your city.

References

• Benefits of Bandwidth Feedback in Learning a Complex Gymnastic Skill pdf – Journal of Human Kinetics
• Women’s gymnastics injuries: A 5-year study  – The American Journal of Sports Medicine.
• Effect of past gymnastics participation on adult bone mass – the American Physiological Society.
• Teaching children gymnastics book