Four-Path Star Course

Four paths branch out like a star from a home base in the middle, each with a different obstacle. Kids choose a path, travel to the cone at the end and come back home to pick another, with no lines.

How to play

1. Put 2 mats together in the middle (home base). Four paths go out from it: hoops to jump, a tunnel to crawl, a rope on the floor to walk on and foam blocks to step over. A cone at the end of each.
2. Everyone sits at home base. Go along each path and touch the cone: "I go out, touch the cone and come back home beside the path" (2 min).
3. Free choice: each child takes any path, touches the cone and walks back beside it. At home base they choose another (4 min).
4. Two tambourine taps: "Everybody home!" They gather on the mat and sit close together. Next tap, they head out again (repeat 3 times in 4 min).
5. Final challenge: "Who has tried all four paths?" Anyone who hasn't goes to the one they missed (2 min).
6. At home base, lying in a star shape with arms and legs spread, they rest while listening to soft tambourine taps (2 min).

Rules

• Go out along the path and come back beside it, never through it.
• If a path is crowded, pick another.
• Two tambourine taps: everyone home, walking.
• At home base we sit, we don't jump.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: one path is just a cone lane for a wheelchair or walker.
• Autism: the child can always follow the same path order, shown with pictures at home base.
• More skilled: longer paths and hoops farther apart; less skilled: an adult goes along through the tunnel and blocks.

Learning goals

• Combine locomotor skills on different paths.
• Choose and switch paths independently.
• Respond to a gathering signal.

Equipment for a class of 25

• mats: 2
• hoops: 5
• fabric tunnel: 1
• ropes: 1
• foam blocks: 3
• cones: 4
• tambourine: 1

Teacher tip

The star shape prevents waiting: kids spread out on their own. Stand at home base, where you can see all four paths.

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