Hand in Hand Across Two Bridges

Two benches side by side are two parallel bridges: in pairs, each child walks along one and they hold hands all the way across the river. It builds walking balance and matching your steps to a partner's so you don't let go.

How to play

1. The teacher sets two benches side by side, about a hand's width apart, with mats around them: the river has pretend crocodiles (2 min).
2. Each child crosses one bridge alone, walking slowly and looking ahead (2 min).
3. We pair up: one on each bridge, holding hands, crossing together at the same pace (3 min).
4. We cross counting our steps out loud, "one, two, one, two," to stay together (2 min).
5. At the end we switch bridges and partners and cross again holding hands with a new friend (3 min).

Rules

• Don't let go of your friend's hand: if one stops, the other stops too.
• If a foot falls in the river, that's okay: step back up and keep going together.
• Each pair waits until the pair ahead reaches the middle.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: their partner crosses the bridge while they move along the floor beside it, holding hands.
• Visual impairment: the partner's hand is their guide, and the partner calls out "step, step, almost there."
• Autism: choose a trusted partner and start without holding hands, just walking at the same time.

Learning goals

• Keep balance walking on a narrow surface.
• Match walking pace to a partner's.
• Help others and accept help.

Equipment for a class of 25

• banco sueco: 4
• colchonetas: 8

Teacher tip

Don't set the benches too far apart, or the arms will pull outward. The usual problem is one child rushing and dragging the other, so keep counting steps together.

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