Hop the Meadow Fence on Your Hands

The bench is the meadow fence, and kids, like bunnies, cross from side to side with both hands on top and their feet flying through the air. It builds arm support, two-foot jumping and whole-body coordination.

How to play

1. Benches are spaced out with mats on both sides; standing beside the bench, we put our hands on top (2 min).
2. First we cross the fence by sitting on the bench and swinging our legs over (2 min).
3. Now bunny style: hands on the bench, a little two-foot hop, and our feet land on the other side, a bit farther along (3 min).
4. We zigzag along the fence: one side, the other side, all the way to the end of the bench (3 min).
5. Each bunny sets a goal for how many times to cross the fence before reaching the end, and gives it a try (3 min).

Rules

• Both hands always on the fence when you jump.
• Feet land on the mat, never on the bench.
• Every bunny has its own piece of fence.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: cross the fence sitting, with an adult helping swing the legs, or reach the arms from side to side without leaving the wheelchair.
• Less skilled kids: use a rolled-up mat on the floor as a lower fence.
• Autism: first go along the course next to an adult, counting each jump out loud.

Learning goals

• Take weight on the arms during a jump.
• Jump with both feet together from side to side.
• Set a personal goal and check it.

Equipment for a class of 25

• banco sueco: 4
• colchonetas: 8

Teacher tip

This is an intense jump: just a few minutes in a row, then rest. The usual mistake is letting go too early, so say "Hands stay put until your feet touch the floor."

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