Hike Over the Bridge, River and Cave
Backpacks on, the class goes on a hike along a story path: crossing a narrow bridge, jumping river stones, crawling through a cave and climbing to the summit. It works balance, jumping, crawling and the idea of taking care in nature.
How to play
- Put on your backpack (real or pretend), tie your boots and walk the trail in a line, looking at the scenery: birds up high, flowers down low (2 min).
- We reach the bridge: cross the low bench walking slowly with arms out; there's a river below and we don't want to get wet (4 min).
- Cross the river jumping from stone to stone (hoops) with feet together; if you step off, say “brr, the water's cold!” and keep going (4 min).
- Enter the cave (play tunnel) crawling very quietly so we don't wake the bats (3 min).
- Climb to the summit: crawl up the mountain of stacked mats on hands and knees, and from the top shout your name to hear the echo (3 min).
- Climb down slowly, sit in the meadow, take out a pretend snack and check that we leave no trash behind (2 min).
Rules
- On the trail we walk in a line, and no passing on the bridge.
- In the cave, bat-quiet.
- If someone needs help on the bridge, we hold their hand.
- We climb the mountain on hands and knees, never standing.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, the bridge is a rope on the floor, the stones are close together and an adult waits at the summit.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, use a low bench, spaced-out stones and a long cave.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, cross the bridge with a beanbag on the head, hop across the stones on one foot and crawl through the cave wearing the backpack.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: make a parallel level trail with the same stops (bridge = a line, river = large hoops to roll through) and let the child join everyone for the echo at the top.
- Autism: show the whole route before starting and let the child walk it first with an adult.
- Visual impairment: a guide partner describes each part; cross the bridge holding an adult's hand.
Learning goals
- Link balance, jumping, crawling and climbing in one course.
- Wait your turn at narrow spots.
- Connect hiking with caring for nature.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Low benches: 2
- Hoops: 8
- Floor mats: 6
- Play tunnel: 1
- Backpacks
Teacher tip
Put mats on both sides of the bench, with one adult at the bridge and another at the summit. The first time, tell the route as a story while you walk it yourself, so you don't need to explain each station.
PatioLab has "Hike Over the Bridge, River and Cave" and 8714 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
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