Boxes That Dance With Me

Each child dances with a light box as if it were a dance partner: lifting it, lowering it, spinning it, balancing it on their head, and rocking it. Arms, shoulders, waist, and legs get warmed up to the music.

How to play

1. Each child picks up a closed box and says “Hi, box!”, and the box answers with a bow (1 min).
2. With the music on, we lift the box up to the sky and down to our toes, over and over (1 min).
3. We circle the box around our waist, passing it from hand to hand behind our back (1 min).
4. The box sits on our head and we walk slowly; then on a shoulder and on a flat hand (1 min).
5. We set the box on the floor and dance around it: little hops, spins, and squats (1 min).
6. We rock the box in our arms like a baby, slower and slower, until it falls asleep (1 min).

Rules

• My box dances with me; it doesn't fly.
• I don't touch other kids' boxes.
• If it falls, I pick it up and keep dancing.
• When the box is sleeping, we talk quietly.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: dance seated; the box goes up, down, and around from the chair.
• Less hand control: tape a handle loop onto the box so it's easier to grip.
• Hearing impairment: the teacher exaggerates every gesture up front to copy, and uses music with a strong bass that can be felt through the floor.

Learning goals

• Loosen up shoulders, arms, and waist.
• Coordinate movement with an object and with music.
• Take care of an object while moving.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Small cardboard boxes: 25
• Music

Teacher tip

Tape the boxes shut so the flaps don't fly open. Start with upbeat music and switch to something slower at the end; the last part sets up a calm transition.

More activities like this

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