Frogs on Colored Lily Pads

Hoops in four colors are lily pads in a pond. The frogs jump onto a lily pad of the color the teacher shows on a card, alone, in pairs or in groups. Kids practice telling colors apart, finding their way in space and jumping with feet together.

How to play

1. Before class, scatter hoops of four colors on the floor, five or six of each, spaced out. Have one card of each color ready.
2. The frogs crouch and jump with feet together around the pond between the lily pads, saying “ribbit” (2 min).
3. Hold up a card and say: “Frogs, to the yellow lily pad!” Each frog jumps into any yellow hoop. Several can share one (4 min).
4. Now just show the card without saying the color: they have to look (3 min).
5. Buddy calls: “two frogs on each blue lily pad,” “all frogs on the red lily pads, nobody left out” (3 min).
6. To finish, a volunteer frog shows the card and the rest jump. Switch frogs three or four times (3 min).

Rules

• Jump inside the hoop, not on the edge.
• If a lily pad is full, find another of the same color.
• Frogs don't push to get in.
• When the teacher holds up a card, everyone looks.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: big hoops on the floor a wheelchair can roll into, or touching the hoop by hand from outside.
• Autism: preview with a frog picture and let the child start in one set hoop before moving.
• Visual or skill level: high-contrast colors and hoops closer together for kids who need it; farther apart for skilled kids.

Learning goals

• Recognize colors and move toward them in space.
• Jump with feet together into a hoop.
• Share space with others without pushing.

Equipment for a class of 25

• hoops: 24
• cardstock: 4

Teacher tip

Place the hoops before kids come in and tape them down if the floor is slippery. Big cards work better than saying the color.

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