Bike Gears
Children ride pretend bikes around a course and shift gears according to the card the teacher shows: 1 slow walk, 2 fast walk, 3 jog and 4 run. It works on grading speed from walking to running and back down again.
How to play
- We mark a big course with cones and introduce the four gears with the cards and a demonstration (3 min).
- We hop on our bikes and practice gears 1 and 2: slow walk and fast walk (2 min).
- We add gear 3, jogging, and gear 4, running; the teacher shows the cards in order, going up and back down (4 min).
- Now the teacher jumps between gears: from 4 straight to 1, so brake carefully! (3 min).
- There's a pretend hill: we ride up in gear 1 pushing hard and coast down in gear 3 with arms out (2 min).
- We park our bikes and drink water, like cyclists after a race stage (1 min).
Rules
- Look at the card to know your gear.
- Everyone rides the same way around the course.
- To pass, go around the outside without touching.
- When you shift to gear 1, slow down little by little.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, just two gears, slow and fast, with the teacher leading the pack.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, all four gears in order, going up and down.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, the gears change in random order and the teacher shows the gear with fingers instead of cards.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: in a wheelchair, gears are slower or faster pushes; the course has wide curves.
- Visual impairment: the teacher calls the number out loud and they run with a guide classmate, linked by a scarf.
- Less coordination: they can stay in gears 1 to 3 while they feel safe.
Learning goals
- Grade speed across four levels.
- Speed up and slow down with control.
- Connect effort with speed.
Equipment for a class of 25
- number cards 1 to 4: 4
- cones: 8
Teacher tip
Make the cards big, with a different color for each gear. Always ride in the same direction around the course; that's what prevents collisions.
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