Giant Pickup Sticks

The teacher drops a pile of gym poles like a giant game of pickup sticks and, taking turns, children slowly pull out one pole while trying not to move any others. Then the poles become an obstacle path to cross by jumping.

How to play

1. Sitting in a wide circle, the teacher shows a small pickup sticks set and then drops ten poles in the middle, crossing over one another (2 min).
2. Taking turns, a child walks up, picks a pole and pulls it out very slowly; everyone watches quietly to see if another one moves (4 min).
3. If none move, the child carries it to the side; if one moves, no problem: they leave it and the next friend tries (2 min).
4. With all the poles out, we lay them on the floor together, either flat or resting on low cones, to make an obstacle path (2 min).
5. Travel the path stepping over the poles, jumping the flat ones and going sideways over the ones on cones (2 min).

Rules

• Hold poles with both hands and carry them low, never up high.
• While one child pulls, everyone else watches without touching.
• If another pole moves, the turn just passes on.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: make the pile on a table with short dowels or thick straws at the child's height.
• Visual impairment: a buddy guides the child's hand to a pole and tells them if another one moved.
• Autism: let the child take a turn early without a long wait; the group's quiet helps them focus.

Learning goals

• Control the strength and speed of movement.
• Focus on a precision task.
• Wait for a turn while paying attention.

Equipment for a class of 25

• picas: 10
• conos: 6

Teacher tip

Make the circle wide so no one is close when the poles drop. Insist on carrying poles low and level, never raised over the head.

More main activities for Elementary