Fleas on the Giant Dog
Children are tiny fleas hopping all over the back of an imaginary giant dog; when the dog scratches, the fleas hop to hide against a wall. They practice quick, short jumps and changes of direction while laughing together.
How to play
- The teacher explains that the yard is the back of a giant dog and we're all jumpy little fleas (1 min).
- The fleas hop everywhere with feet together, little by little (1 min).
- The fleas hop in little groups of three, holding hands and not letting go (1 min).
- When the teacher says "He's scratching!", hop quickly to the nearest wall (2 min).
- The dog falls asleep: the fleas slowly lie down and breathe (1 min).
Rules
- Fleas hop—they don't run.
- I look for open spaces so I don't bump anyone.
- When the dog scratches, I hop to the wall.
- Nobody tags anybody—it's just for laughs.
Variations
Easier
At age 3, they may walk quickly to the wall if they get tired of hopping.
Standard
At age 4, the whole game uses two-footed jumps.
Harder
At age 5, the teacher names which wall (the door wall, the window wall), and they hop on one foot part of the way.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the child is a flea moving in a wheelchair or walking, clapping as if jumping.
- Hearing impairment: pair "He's scratching!" with an exaggerated scratching gesture.
- Autism: the child can always have the same wall, marked with a color.
Learning goals
- Link short, quick jumps together.
- Change direction while jumping.
- Enjoy moving together as a group.
Teacher tip
Play the dog yourself and scratch dramatically—the laughter is part of the warm-up. Keep continuous hopping to about half a minute at a time.
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