Bumper Cars That Don't Bump
Each child is a bumper car inside a hoop, driving around a set area to music, but the challenge is to never bump: when getting close to another car, they honk "beep beep" and swerve. It builds spatial awareness, changing direction and speed, and body control.
How to play
- Mark out the arena: an enclosed, not-too-big space. Each child steps into a hoop and holds it at the waist (1 min).
- First round at a walk: drive around the whole arena, and if you get close to someone, say "beep beep" and change direction (2 min).
- With music on, we jog; when the music stops, all cars freeze without touching (3 min).
- Make the arena smaller and do it again: time to swerve even better! (2 min).
- Last round in reverse, very slowly, looking over the shoulder (2 min).
Rules
- My hoop doesn't touch any hoop.
- If I get close, I honk and swerve.
- When the music stops, I freeze.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, use a big arena, walking, with a few cars at a time.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, jog and shrink the arena once.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, use a small arena, more speed and the reverse round.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: a child using a wheelchair drives their chair without a hoop, and others give them a safety space.
- Visual impairment: the child drives holding a buddy's hand inside one big hoop for two.
- Autism or sound sensitivity: keep the music low and also signal the stop with a gesture.
Learning goals
- Notice open space and moving obstacles.
- Change direction and speed with control.
- Avoid bumping into friends.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Hoops: 25
- Soft music
Teacher tip
Don't make the arena too small at first: crashes are frustrating. Reverse should be walking and slow only; it's the hardest part and the one they love most.
PatioLab has "Bumper Cars That Don't Bump" and 8714 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
More main activities for Elementary
"Al Pasar la Barca" Parachute Rowing
Sitting around the parachute, children row by pulling the fabric toward them and letting it go toward the middle to the rhythm of the traditional Spanish song "Al pasar…
"Corro de la Patata" Parachute Circle
Children circle with the parachute while singing the traditional Spanish song "Al corro de la patata" (Potato Circle), and on "achupé, achupé" everyone sits down…
"El Patio de Mi Casa" Parachute Song
Children sing the traditional Spanish ring song "El patio de mi casa" while circling with the parachute and lowering it to the ground on "agáchate" (squat down).
"Que Llueva" Parachute Rain
Using the traditional Spanish children's song "Que llueva, que llueva" (Let It Rain), children make rain, clouds and sun with the parachute, and some hide underneath as…
«A la Zapatilla por Detrás»: The Slipper Behind Your Back
Sitting in a circle with eyes covered, one child walks around the outside with a slipper singing the traditional Spanish rhyme «A la zapatilla por detrás» («the…
«A Tapar la Calle»: The Chain That Blocks the Street
Half the class forms a hand-in-hand chain that walks forward singing the traditional Spanish song «A tapar la calle» («Block the street so nobody passes»), while the…