Hidden Numbers Want Jumps

Large number cards from 1 to 5 are half-hidden around the room or playground; whenever a child finds one, they do as many jumps beside it as the number says. Children practice two-footed jumping and play with quantities.

How to play

1. Before class, the teacher half-hides the cards (peeking out from behind a chair, under a hoop, taped to a column) (1 min).
2. In a circle, show a card with a 3 and do three jumps together, counting out loud (2 min).
3. Everyone searches at once; when you find a card, do the jumps while counting and leave it there for someone else (4 min).
4. The teacher changes the kind of jump: like frogs, like kangaroos with hands on the tummy, on one foot (3 min).
5. Each child goes back to their favorite card and shows a friend their jumps (1 min).
6. Collect the cards and line them up on the floor from 1 to 5, walking on tiptoe (1 min).

Rules

• I find the card, jump and leave it where it was.
• I count my jumps out loud.
• If someone is already jumping there, I wait or look for another card.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: instead of jumping, the child claps, raises arms or taps a foot as many times as the number says.
• Visual impairment: cards have raised dots (large buttons sewn or glued on) to count with the fingers.
• Less jumping skill: the child can hop from one hoop to the next or stomp with both feet in place.

Learning goals

• Practice jumping on two feet and on one foot.
• Match a quantity to a number of movements.
• Search the space independently.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Large number cards 1 to 5: 20

Teacher tip

Scatter several cards of each number around the whole area so kids don't bunch up. Some children jump without counting, so circulate and count out loud with them.

More main activities for Elementary