Busy Bees Zigzag Through the Flowers

Children are bees zigzagging between rows of cones that are flowers, collecting pollen and bringing it back to the hive. They practice slalom, changes of direction and body control when turning.

How to play

1. Before starting, the teacher sets four rows of cones two steps apart (the flowers), with a hoop of soft balls at the end of each row (the pollen) and an empty hoop at the start (the hive) (1 min).
2. The teacher flies like a bee in front of everyone, zigzagging down a row and buzzing, to show the path (1 min).
3. Bees zigzag down the rows and fly straight back along the outside, all rows at once (3 min).
4. Now at the end they pick up a pollen ball and zigzag back to drop it in the hive (3 min).
5. When the teacher says “Here comes the rain!”, all the bees hurry inside a hoop and curl up in a ball (2 min).
6. Tired bees fly slowly back to the hive, flapping their wings slower and slower (2 min).

Rules

• The bee goes past one side of the flower, then the other.
• Don't step on or knock over the flowers.
• Carry the pollen in your hand and set it in the hive; don't throw it.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: keep one row of widely spaced cones for zigzagging in a wheelchair or walker.
• Visual impairment: use large, bright cones and a buddy bee who taps their shoulder at each turn.
• Autism: let them stay in the same row every time and give a heads-up before the rain.

Learning goals

• Move in a zigzag between obstacles.
• Change direction with control.
• Carry an object while moving.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Cones: 20
• Hoops: 12
• Soft balls: 25

Teacher tip

Chalk a wavy line between the cones the first time: 3-year-olds follow it with their feet without hesitating. If someone barrels straight through knocking cones over, space the flowers farther apart.

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