Bear Cubs Carry Honey on Their Backs

Kids are bear cubs that crawl across a log (the bench) on hands and knees carrying a beanbag of honey on their backs to the cave, where they drop it into a basket. It builds crawling on a narrow surface and keeping the back steady so the load doesn't fall.

How to play

1. We set up each bench with mats on both sides, a pile of beanbags at the start and a basket cave at the end (2 min).
2. First we crawl across the log empty-handed, hands and knees on top of the bench (2 min).
3. Now an adult or a friend puts a honey beanbag on our back and we crawl slowly so it won't fall (3 min).
4. If it falls, no problem: we get down, pick it up and keep going from that spot; at the end we put the honey in the cave and walk back around the outside (3 min).
5. We count together how much honey each cave has and cheer because the bears will have food for winter (2 min).

Rules

• Hands and knees always stay on the log.
• Wait until the cub ahead reaches the middle before you start.
• We carry the honey, we don't throw it.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: crawl along a mat beside the bench, or carry the honey on the lap while wheeling alongside the bench.
• More or less skill: choose a big flat beanbag (easier) or a small round one (harder).
• Autism: a single bench with few kids, and the steps drawn on a strip (crawl, drop off, go back).

Learning goals

• Crawl with coordination on a narrow surface.
• Keep the trunk steady to carry an object.
• Count and value the work done together.

Equipment for a class of 25

• banco sueco: 3
• colchonetas: 6
• saquitos: 25
• cestos: 3

Teacher tip

Beanbags should be big and well sewn. Keep stressing slow: if they rush, the honey falls, and that teaches them to slow down on their own.

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