Frogs Wait Still for the Fly

Each child is a frog on its lily pad (a hoop), waiting totally still for the fly to come by (a scarf tied to a rope the teacher swings), and only when it's close do they jump to try to touch it. It works on waiting calmly and choosing the moment to act.

How to play

1. Everyone crouches like a frog inside a hoop, spread around the playground (2 min).
2. Practice: frogs stay very still, only blinking; on “Ribbit!” they hop inside their hoop (2 min).
3. The fly arrives: the teacher swings the scarf on the rope at hand height; when it passes over your lily pad, jump to touch it (3 min).
4. The fly goes faster or slower and sometimes hovers: wait for the right moment (2 min).
5. A child helps the teacher be the fly while the rest wait (2 min).
6. Frogs nap in the sun: lie in your hoop and breathe slowly (1 min).

Rules

• I wait still on my lily pad.
• I only jump when the fly is right above me.
• I stay in my hoop and don't grab the fly from others.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the fly passes at hand height and they reach up from the wheelchair to touch it.
• Visual impairment: a bright scarf with a bell, and the teacher buzzes “zzz” near their hoop.
• Autism: if waiting is hard, let them rock or move their hands while they wait.

Learning goals

• Keep the body still while waiting.
• Jump at the right moment.
• Manage the urge to move.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Rope: 1
• Scarf: 1
• Hoops: 25

Teacher tip

Use a short rope and always hold it yourself; don't hand it to the children. Kids tend to leave their hoop chasing the fly, so remind them frogs can't swim outside their pond.

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