Four-Sound Obstacle Course

A four-station course where each section ends with a sound: hop through hoops and shake the shaker, cross the bench and drum the bucket, crawl under the rope and tap the rhythm sticks, zigzag through cones and ring the bells. It practices basic motor skills and the goal of completing each station.

How to play

1. Walk the course slowly with the teacher and listen to the sound waiting at the end of each station (3 min).
2. Split into four groups and send one group to each station (1 min).
3. Each group goes through its station several times; when the teacher calls "Switch!", rotate to the next one (8 min).
4. Do the whole course in a row, one behind the other, like a train of musicians (2 min).
5. Help the teacher put the equipment away (1 min).

Rules

• Wait until the child ahead has played their sound before you go.
• Instruments stay at their station for the next friend.
• On the bench, go slowly with the teacher close by.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: every station has an alternative path (zigzag in the wheelchair, rope raised high) and the instrument at hand height.
• Visual impairment: each station's instrument plays before they start, to help orientation, and an adult walks alongside on the bench.
• Autism: show the course with photos in order and keep the stations the same every time.

Learning goals

• Jump, balance, crawl and dodge.
• Complete a course with a sound as the goal.
• Wait for a turn within the group.

Equipment for a class of 25

• hoops: 6
• low gym bench: 1
• mat: 1
• cones: 6
• rope: 1
• bucket drums: 2
• homemade shakers: 2
• rhythm sticks: 2
• jingle bell bracelets: 1

Teacher tip

Set the bench on the mat or right next to it, and stay at that station yourself. Rest the rope on two chairs at knee height so it drops if someone catches it.

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