Bunnies, Into Your Burrows!
Kids are bunnies hopping around the gym, and when the fox comes they jump into their burrows (hoops). They practice inside, outside and around, reacting to a signal, and sharing space with friends.
How to play
- Scatter the hoops on the floor, one for every two kids. Sit with the group and show them: “This is a burrow. Inside looks like this; outside, like this.”
- While the tambourine plays, the bunnies hop with feet together all over the gym, outside the burrows (2 min).
- Stop the tambourine and say: “Here comes the fox!” Each bunny gets inside a burrow and crouches down. Walk around sniffing without touching anyone, then say: “Everyone's inside, I'm leaving.” Repeat 4 or 5 times (3 min).
- Change the call at each stop: “outside the burrow, right next to the hoop,” “one foot in, one foot out,” “hop around your burrow” (3 min).
- Take away two or three hoops each round: “The burrows are getting smaller, but everyone fits. Nobody stays outside.” Bunnies hug to fit (2 min).
- To finish, one child plays the fox, crawling slowly, while you play the tambourine (2 min).
Rules
- Hop around the hoops, not on them, so nobody slips.
- No pushing to get in: if a burrow is full, find another or make room.
- The fox only looks and sniffs, never touches.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, one hoop per child and only inside and outside.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, one hoop for every two kids and add around.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, add “one foot in, one foot out” and give two calls in a row.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: big hoops a wheelchair or walker fits into, or moving close and touching the hoop.
- Autism: show a picture of the fox first and warn before the tambourine stops; the child can keep the same hoop every time.
- Skill level: confident kids hop on one foot; kids who need more time can walk instead of hop.
Learning goals
- Tell inside, outside and around an object apart using the whole body.
- React to a sound signal by stopping and changing action.
- Share a small space with classmates without pushing.
Equipment for a class of 25
- hoops: 10
- tambourine: 1
Teacher tip
Play the fox yourself the first few times and ham up the sniffing; kids love it. Remove hoops gradually and cheer when everyone fits.
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