Explorers Cross the Sleeping Volcano

Children crawl up a mat mountain (a mat propped over foam blocks) and come down the other side on their bottoms or rolling, landing in the "lava" of red scarves on the thick crash mat. They practice climbing, getting down with control, and handling height safely.

How to play

1. Build the volcano: a mat propped on foam blocks into a low mountain, mats around it, and the crash mat with red scarves on the far side (2 min).
2. The teacher explains the volcano is asleep and we must cross without waking it: crawl up slowly (3 min).
3. Slide down the other side on your bottom, like a slide, and land in the soft lava (3 min).
4. Try other ways down: on the tummy feet first, or rolling sideways (3 min).
5. The volcano snores! The teacher taps the mat, and whoever is on top freezes in a ball until it settles (2 min).
6. Help take the volcano apart and sit in a circle (1 min).

Rules

• One explorer climbs at a time.
• We always go down feet first or rolling, never head first.
• Wait in line sitting down.
• The teacher is always right next to the volcano.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: an adult helps the child crawl up or sit on top and scoot down slowly on the bottom.
• Fear of heights: make the mountain lower, or climb only halfway and come down.
• Autism: explain the course with photos and give a heads-up before the volcano "snores."

Learning goals

• Climb up and down a soft slope with control.
• Choose a safe way down.
• Handle fear and excitement through play.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Thick crash mat: 1
• Mats: 6
• Foam blocks: 3
• Red scarves: 4

Teacher tip

The mountain shouldn't be higher than the children's waists, and the crash mat must be flush so there's no gap. Always stand on the downhill side.

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