Frogs Fill the Pond With Lily Pads
Children are frogs carrying lily pads (green plates) with two-footed jumps from the bank to a pond outlined with a rope. The whole class tries to cover the pond with lily pads before the sand timer runs out, practicing two-footed jumping and a shared goal.
How to play
- Lay a rope on the ground at the far end of the yard to make the pond and put the green plates on the bank. The teacher demonstrates the frog jump: crouch, arms back and up, feet together (2 min).
- Practice round: in five short lines, each frog takes a lily pad, jumps to the pond, drops it in and runs back to high-five the next child (2 min).
- Flip the sand timer: can we cover the pond together before the sand runs out? (2 min).
- Look at the pond: any gaps left? The frogs arrange the lily pads to cover the water without stepping on them (2 min).
- Second time: collect the lily pads by jumping back and try to beat our first time (2 min).
- Squat down like frogs and croak together to celebrate (2 min).
Rules
- I jump with both feet together.
- I carry one lily pad at a time.
- I wait for my friend's high five before I go.
- Frogs don't push: there's room for everyone at the pond.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, use a short path (about 12 feet) and allow little hops or walking crouched.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, frog jumps the whole way, as described.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, two-footed jumps going and hopping on one foot to a halfway cone on the way back.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the child moves their own way and tosses the lily pad into the pond from a closer line.
- Autism: draw frog footprints to mark the path and give a heads-up before flipping the timer.
- Less motor control: allow a step or two between jumps to regain balance.
Learning goals
- Jump with two feet using an arm swing.
- Keep turns in a relay.
- Celebrate an achievement reached together.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Green paper plates: 30
- Long rope: 1
- Large sand timer: 1
Teacher tip
Use sturdy paper plates so they don't blow away. Kids often jump with one foot ahead of the other; say “feet stuck with glue” and jump along with them.
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