Crabs Kick the Balloons
In crab position or sitting, children kick balloons to keep them in the air and move them across the room. They build eye-foot coordination and arm and core strength.
How to play
- Learn to be crabs: hands and feet on the floor, tummy up, and walk a little (2 min).
- Sitting on the floor, kick the balloon upward with your feet (3 min).
- In crab position, kick the balloons the teacher tosses into the middle (3 min).
- With music, all the crabs send the balloons to the other side of the beach (2 min).
- The crabs lie in the sun with a balloon on their tummy (2 min).
Rules
- I kick the balloon, not my friends.
- If I get tired, I sit and kick sitting down.
- I don't hold the balloon with my hands.
- I move slowly so I don't bump anyone.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, sitting only, hands propped behind.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, sitting first, then a little crab time.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, crab position and kicking with the foot the teacher calls.
Adaptations
- Limited leg mobility: hit the balloon with the hands from the floor or wheelchair.
- Visual impairment: brightly colored balloons with rice inside and fewer children at once.
- Weak arms: always do it sitting with the back against a wall.
Learning goals
- Strike a balloon with the foot.
- Hold the crab position.
- Coordinate the eyes with the feet.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Balloons: 15
- Music
Teacher tip
Use a clean floor or mats, barefoot if possible. Crab position is tiring: alternate with sitting breaks every minute.
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