Foam Block Summit Climb

Two low mountains made of foam blocks and wedges, surrounded by mats. Kids climb to the top in different ways and come down sitting, sliding or rolling, building confidence and strength.

How to play

1. Build two mountains no taller than about 20 inches: stepped blocks on one side and a wedge on the other, with mats all around.
2. Split the group in two, one per mountain. Demonstrate: "I crawl up the steps, sit on the top and slide down the wedge" (1 min).
3. First round: they crawl up the blocks, sit on top, shout "I made it!" and slide down the wedge sitting. They walk back along the mat and repeat (4 min).
4. Tambourine: change the way down. "Now we roll down like a log!" lying on the wedge with arms stretched (3 min).
5. Tambourine: change the way up. They crawl up the wedge and climb down the steps backward, like a ladder (3 min).
6. Finish: an imaginary photo at the top in an explorer pose, then swap mountains to see the other one before saying goodbye (3 min).

Rules

• Only two kids on top at a time.
• Come down sitting, lying or backward, never standing or jumping.
• Wait at the bottom until the wedge is clear.
• Mats always around the mountain.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: a one-block mountain with a very low wedge and an adult helping up and down.
• Autism: preview each change with the gesture before the tambourine and keep the same climbing order.
• More skilled: climb up without hands holding your hand; less skilled: always go up and down the wedge.

Learning goals

• Climb on soft surfaces using arms and legs.
• Get down safely from a low height.
• Gain confidence by meeting a height challenge.

Equipment for a class of 25

• foam blocks: 8
• foam wedges: 2
• mats: 6
• ropes: 2
• tambourine: 1

Teacher tip

Stay next to the taller mountain and ask another adult to watch the other one if possible. Never build higher than the youngest kids' waist.

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