Back to the Line: Turn Around and Go!
Children wait sitting with their backs to the finish, and when the drum sounds they get up, turn around and run to the cones in side-by-side lanes, with no winners. It practices starting with a turn and orienting quickly in space.
How to play
- Set up 5 lanes with a start cone and another cone 20 feet away; children practice turning: standing, a half-turn hop to face the finish (2 min).
- First start: standing with backs to the finish; at the drum, turn around and run to the cone (2 min).
- Now sitting with backs to the finish: at the drum they get up, turn and run (3 min).
- Wait lying on the back with feet toward the finish: at the drum they get up, turn and go (2 min).
- Mirror round: at the cone they turn around and wave to whoever is coming next, then jog back (2 min).
Rules
- I wait with my back turned and don't peek.
- I turn in my spot and run in my lane.
- When I get there, I high-five whoever comes next.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, start only from standing and sitting, and the teacher says "Turn and run!" with the drum.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, start from lying down too, with no words.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, the teacher says which way to turn first ("to the right", "to the left"), or hits the drum twice for a full spin before going.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: a child in a wheelchair waits facing backward and turns the chair at the drum before rolling forward.
- Hearing impairment: a buddy sitting in front, facing them, gives a hand signal when the drum sounds.
- Visual impairment: the finish cone has a bell the teacher shakes, and the lane is marked with a rope they can feel underfoot.
Learning goals
- Take off running after a 180-degree turn.
- Orient quickly toward a target.
- Respect waiting and one's own lane.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Cones: 10
- Hand drum: 1
Teacher tip
Make lanes at least 5 feet wide, since children swing out when they turn. Nobody wins: when everyone arrives, the whole group gets a round of applause.
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