Beanbag Body Landing
In pairs, one child lies on their back while the other gently sets beanbags on the body parts the teacher names; the child lying down feels the weight and stays very still. It builds body awareness and relaxation.
How to play
- Make pairs with one mat and five beanbags each. One child lies on their back with eyes closed (30 sec).
- Say: "The beanbags are little birds landing to rest." Show with one child how to set a beanbag down slowly, never dropping it from above.
- Name one body part every 15 seconds: "A bird on the tummy," "one on a hand," "on a knee," "on a foot," "on a shoulder" (1.5 min).
- The child lying down tries not to move so the birds don't fly away. Whisper: "Feel how heavy they are and how you sink into the mat."
- Say: "The birds fly away." The partner takes them off one at a time, in reverse order (30 sec).
- On a tambourine tap, partners switch roles and play again (2.5 min).
Rules
- Set beanbags down by hand; never toss them.
- No beanbags on the face or neck.
- The child lying down stays still and quiet.
- If someone doesn't like it, take the beanbag off right away.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, use only three beanbags, on tummy, hands and feet, and help name the parts.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, set five beanbags following the teacher's cues.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, the child lying down, eyes closed, says where they feel each beanbag.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: do it seated, placing beanbags on legs, arms and shoulders.
- Visual impairment: encourage the child to say out loud each place they feel a beanbag.
- Skill level: careful placers can stack two beanbags; kids who are rougher place them alongside you.
Learning goals
- Identify and name body parts.
- Hold still while feeling the weight of objects.
- Treat a partner gently.
Equipment for a class of 25
- bean bags: 50
- mats: 10
Teacher tip
Leave small piles of beanbags ready next to each mat. Speak very slowly and leave pauses between cues so kids notice the weight.
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