Frogs Toss Flies onto the Lily Pads
Children are frogs on the edge of a pond who toss their "flies" (beanbags) so they land on cardboard lily pads spread across the floor, some close and some far. They practice underhand aiming and controlling force.
How to play
- We tell the story: frogs save flies on the lily pads to eat later; we sit on the shore (the rope) (2 min).
- Each frog takes two flies and tosses them underhand onto a nearby lily pad (3 min).
- We try the faraway lily pads: a longer arm swing and more force (3 min).
- All the frogs hop into the pond to collect flies, two each (2 min).
- Last round: the teacher names a lily pad ("the one by the rock," "the middle one") and everyone aims there (2 min).
Rules
- I throw from the shore and don't step in the water.
- We only hop in to collect when the teacher croaks "Ribbit!"
- Each frog picks up two flies and goes back to their spot.
Variations
Easier
At age 3, big lily pads very close; touching the pad counts.
Standard
At age 4, lily pads at two distances, and the fly has to stay on top.
Harder
At age 5, smaller lily pads; each frog picks one near and one far and says which one they'll try first.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: throws from a chair with the lily pads moved closer; a classmate brings the flies back.
- Visual impairment: use high-contrast pads with a bell attached that the teacher jingles.
- Less dexterity: the child can drop the fly from standing onto the closest pad, then step back little by little.
Learning goals
- Throw underhand with direction.
- Match force to distance.
- Wait for the signal before collecting.
Equipment for a class of 25
- beanbags: 25
- green cardboard circles: 8
- rope: 1
Teacher tip
Fan the lily pads out in front of the rope, never one behind another, so nobody throws toward someone's back. Beanbags work better than balls because they don't roll and you can see right away if they landed on top.
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