Here Comes the Big Rolling Ball!
The teacher slowly rolls a giant exercise ball across the playground and children move out of its way by walking, running or hopping, depending on how the ball moves. It warms up the body and builds reaction time and spatial awareness.
How to play
- Meet the big ball: everyone touches it, hugs it and notices it is bigger than we are (1 min).
- Children walk around freely; the teacher rolls the ball very slowly, and when it comes close, children walk out of its way (1 min).
- The ball gets happy and rolls a little faster: now we get out of the way running on tiptoe (1 min).
- When the teacher stops the ball and says “It's snoring!”, everyone freezes like a statue; when the drum plays, it wakes up and we keep going (2 min).
- To finish, the ball rolls toward the circle and everyone gently stops it with both hands (1 min).
Rules
- The big ball won't hurt you: move away without pushing anyone.
- Always keep an eye on the ball.
- When the ball snores, we freeze.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, the ball always rolls slowly and children only walk away from it, holding the teacher's hand if needed.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, change how they move away: walking, running on tiptoe or bunny hopping.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, the ball can suddenly change direction, and when it snores, each child freezes in a balance pose.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: a child using a wheelchair or walker stays on one side as the “lookout,” pointing to show where the ball is coming from.
- Autism: preview the three cues (walk, run, freeze) with pictures and let the child touch the ball before starting.
- Hearing impairment: also signal “snoring” by raising a hand and stopping the ball in a very visible way.
Learning goals
- React to an approaching object by changing direction.
- Move around the space without bumping into others.
- Warm up the body gradually.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Giant exercise ball: 1
- Hand drum: 1
Teacher tip
Always roll the ball by hand along the ground, never throw it. A common mistake is everyone running to touch the ball, so save a moment at the end for that and they'll wait more easily.
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