Catch the Floating Scarf

Each child tosses a light scarf up and catches it as it floats down, with a hand or other body parts. It's a first catching experience: the scarf falls slowly, giving kids time to watch, wait, and catch.

How to play

1. Each child picks a colored scarf and spreads out in the gym (1 min).
2. "The scarf can fly!" Kids toss it up with one hand and watch it float down without touching it (1 min).
3. Now catch it with both hands before it touches the floor. Say: "Up… watch… catch!" (2 min).
4. Landing challenges: let it fall on your head, on your back while bending over, on a lifted foot (2 min).
5. On one tambourine tap, toss, clap, and catch; on two taps, toss, squat to touch the floor, and then catch (2 min).
6. To finish, toss the scarf, catch it, and sit down hugging it, slower each time (2 min).

Rules

• Watch your own scarf, not your friends'.
• Toss up, not toward other kids.
• If it lands on the floor, pick it up and try again.
• Walk, don't run, so nobody bumps.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: seated, toss and catch at face height; a buddy can drop the scarf from above.
• Low vision: use very bright scarves against a plain background and say "Now!" when it's near their hands.
• Skill levels: confident kids catch with an elbow or knee; kids who need support toss a scrunched-up scarf, which falls straighter.

Learning goals

• Catch a slow-falling object with one and two hands.
• Track an object's path with the eyes.
• Adjust how hard to toss upward.

Equipment for a class of 25

• juggling scarves: 22
• tambourine: 1

Teacher tip

If a scarf drops too fast, tie a loose knot in one corner to add weight. Keep your voice soft; the slow pace of this activity settles the group.

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