Dandelion Seeds on the Wind

Each child has a dandelion seed (a chiffon scarf) to toss in the air, blow on so it floats, and catch before it hits the ground; at the end the seeds land in the soil (hoops) and get planted. Kids work on eye-hand coordination and breath control.

How to play

1. The teacher shows how a dandelion seed flies (or a photo) and hands each child a chiffon seed (2 min).
2. We toss the seed up and catch it with both hands, watching it float down (2 min).
3. The seed rides our wind: we toss it and blow hard from underneath so it takes longer to fall (2 min).
4. We catch it with other body parts: elbow, head, back, foot (3 min).
5. The seeds look for soil: we toss the scarf to land in a hoop, plant it and crouch beside it like a new plant (2 min).
6. We stay still next to our planted seed, feeling our breathing (1 min).

Rules

• I watch my seed the whole time.
• I toss up high, not at my friends.
• If my seed falls, I pick it up and try again.
• I blow hard, but no spitting.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: tosses and catches seated; the scarf can be tied to a short stick for easy retrieval.
• Visual impairment: a brightly colored scarf against a plain background, or a light pouch with a bell that jingles as it falls.
• Lower skill: a classmate or teacher tosses the seed from close by for them to catch.

Learning goals

• Toss and catch a light object, tracking it with the eyes.
• Control breath to keep an object in the air.
• Catch an object with different body parts.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Chiffon scarves: 25
• Hoops: 10

Teacher tip

Chiffon scarves fall slowly and give 3-year-olds time; they're better than any ball for starting out. Ask them to blow "like blowing out a giant candle," never into a friend's face.

More activities like this

More main activities for Elementary