Beanbag Slide

Children place a beanbag on different body parts (head, shoulder, elbow, back) and let it slide off like a playground slide, catching it with their hands before it hits the ground. It works coordination between body and hands and anticipating movement.

How to play

1. Beanbag on the head: tip your head forward and catch it with both hands (2 min).
2. Beanbag on the shoulder: tilt the shoulder and catch it with the opposite hand (2 min).
3. Beanbag on a bent elbow, hand by your ear: drop the elbow fast and catch it with that same hand (3 min).
4. Beanbag on your back while bent over: stand up and catch it behind you (2 min).
5. Everyone invents a new slide and shows the group (3 min).

Rules

• I use my own beanbag and my own space.
• If it hits the floor, I pick it up and try again.
• First I watch how the teacher does it.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: from the wheelchair, the beanbag slides from head or shoulder into the lap.
• Less dexterity: use a large, soft beanbag that's easy to catch.
• Visual impairment: the child feels with their hand where the beanbag slides before trying to catch it.

Learning goals

• Catch an object falling from their own body.
• Anticipate how an object moves.
• Explore different body parts as a base.

Equipment for a class of 25

• beanbags: 25

Teacher tip

The elbow slide is the hardest: teach it very slowly, step by step. Praise the attempts, not just the catches; 3-year-olds rarely catch it and that's normal.

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