Giant Motor Snakes & Ladders
A giant board game laid out on the playground where every square holds a physical challenge the team must complete before moving on. Students practice a range of physical skills, teamwork and following game rules.
How to play
- Draw with chalk or lay out a giant spiral board with 20 to 30 squares, each one step wide. A picture or number on each square points to its challenge (prepare a list).
- Make 5 teams of 5, each with a human game piece that changes every roll. Explain the special squares (2 min).
- Taking turns, each team rolls the giant die and its game piece moves that many squares.
- When landing on a square, the whole team does its challenge: 10 jumps, 5 squats, a 10-second balance, a sprint there and back…
- Special squares: goose (jump to the next goose and roll again), bridge (move ahead 3), well (lose a turn) and skull (back to square 1 after an extra challenge).
- The first team to land exactly on the last square wins; if they overshoot, they move back the extra squares. Play for about 15 minutes.
Rules
- Complete the challenge fully and correctly before passing the turn.
- The whole team does the challenge, not just the game piece.
- Wait for your turn without stepping on other teams' squares.
- Teams cheer each other on with no teasing of anyone who misses.
Variations
Easier
A short 15-square board with simple, single-action challenges.
Standard
A 30-square board with strength, balance, jumping and speed challenges.
Harder
Challenges drawn at random from cards on the spot, or that must be done in sync as a group.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: adapted challenge cards that can be done seated, and the student rolls the die.
- Reading difficulties or autism: challenges shown with clear pictures on each square.
- Low fitness: every challenge has a light and an intense version, and each student chooses.
Learning goals
- Develop a range of physical skills through challenges.
- Cooperate with the team to complete each task.
- Respect the rules and turns of the game.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Giant game board: 1
- Giant die: 1
Teacher tip
If turns get too long, let two teams roll at the same time on different sides of the board. Prepare the challenge cards ahead of time so you don't lose minutes.
PatioLab has "Giant Motor Snakes & Ladders" and 599 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
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