Last Updated on May 25, 2026 by Masha Eretnova
Summer break gives kids hours of open time, and that energy has to go somewhere.
These summer movement cards for kids turn wiggles into a game. Each card names an action and a summer creature, so a child reads it, becomes the animal/object, and moves.
It is a very fun game for big families, kids’ parties, and camping.
What Are Movement Cards?
A movement card pairs one verb with one playful prompt. “Bend like an ocean wave.” “Whistle like a dolphin.” “Stomp like an elephant.”
Mechanics are very simple: your child draws a card, reads the action (or you do it out loud), and acts it out with their whole body.
This set holds 40 cards built around ocean animals, beach scenes, and sunny summer creatures.
Why Use Movement Cards With Kids?
Movement cards do three jobs at once. They burn energy, build coordination, and spark imagination, all in one quick game.
Young kids learn through their bodies. When a preschooler balances like a flamingo or crawls like a beetle, they practice balance, core strength, and gross motor control without calling it exercise.
Kindergarteners get a reading boost too, since each card asks them to sound out a word before they move.
These cards also reset a cranky mood fast. Parents and teachers reach for them because they cost nothing to run and need almost no setup.
What Cards Are Inside:
Here are all 40 cards from the set:
- Bend like an ocean wave
- Fly like a bird
- Leap like a frog
- Waddle like a goose
- Hop like a bunny
- Crawl like a beetle
- Fold like an umbrella
- Wiggle like an eel
- Smile like the sun
- Bounce like a beach ball
- Melt like an ice cream
- Glide like a surfer
- Walk like a crab
- Sway like a seaweed
- Swim like a sea turtle
- Whistle like a dolphin
- Jump like a jellyfish
- Flutter like a butterfly
- Stand like a palm tree
- Toss like a player
- Buzz like a bumblebee
- Soar like a seagull
- Squat like building a sandcastle
- Spin like a seashell
- Dive like a flying fish
- Balance like a flamingo
- Swing like a monkey
- Stomp like an elephant
- Reach like a giraffe
- Sprint like a cheetah
- Slither like a snake
- Roll like a seal
- Gallop like a horse
- Climb like a koala
- Swirl like an octopus
- Breach like a whale
- Clap like a clamshell
- Twist like a shark
- March like ants
- Bloom like a flower
Supplies You Need
You barely need anything to start. Here is the short list:
- The free printable summer movement cards (download above)
- A printer with white cardstock or regular paper
- Scissors to cut the cards apart
- Optional: a laminator or clear tape to make the cards last
- Optional: a small basket, jar, or envelope to hold the deck
How to Set Up Your Summer Movement Cards
Step 1: Print the Cards
Download the PDF and print all 40 cards. Cardstock holds up better to little hands, but plain paper works fine for a one-time party.
Step 2: Cut and Sort
Cut along the borders so each animal sits on its own card. Stack them face down in a pile or drop them into a jar for drawing.
Step 3: Laminate Them (Optional)
Laminate the cards or cover them with clear tape if you plan to use the deck all summer. This keeps them clean through sweaty palms and beach sand.
Step 4: Play
Shuffle the deck and let a child pull a card. Read the action together, then move. Pull the next card and keep going.
Fun Ways to Play
The cards work straight out of the box, but a few twists keep them exciting all season.
Draw and act. One child pulls a card and performs the movement while everyone else copies. Pass the deck around so each kid gets a turn to lead.
Beat the timer. Set a timer for 30 seconds and see how many cards the group can act out before it buzzes. This one tires kids out quick.
Guessing game. A child acts out a card without showing it while others guess the animal. Great for a birthday party where you want giggles and a little mystery.
Movement trail. Lay cards in a line across the yard or floor. Kids travel the trail, doing each motion as they pass, like a mini obstacle course.
Perfect for Home, Class, and Parties
These cards fit almost any summer setting.
At home, they fill the gap between breakfast and the pool with screen-free summer activities that actually wear kids out. In a preschool or kindergarten classroom, teachers use them as brain breaks between lessons or as a calm-down tool after recess.
They also turn into an instant birthday party game. Hand the deck to a group of energetic guests and watch them roll like a seal, sprint like a cheetah, and march like ants. No prep, no cost, and every kid joins in.
Download Your Free Printable Summer Movement Cards
Ready to get moving? Enter your email below and we will send the full 40-card set straight to your inbox.
Masha Eretnova, born in 1991, is a Chiang Mai-based certified teacher, artist, and blogger with 20+ years of personal painting journey.
She started painting and drawing very early and is now an international abstract artist and educator passionate about acrylic painting, gouache, and crafts.
Her works are part of international exhibitions and contests, including ArtlyMix (Brazil), Al-Tiba 9 (Spain), Exhibizone (Canada), Italy, and many more.
Besides her artistic pursuits, Masha holds a post-grad diploma in Teaching Film Photography and 2 music school diplomas: piano and opera singing.