Hot Floor Hops

Children stroll around the space, and when the teacher calls out that the floor is hot, they do quick little hops in place until it "cools down." They warm up their bodies and practice two-footed jumping in response to a signal.

How to play

1. In a circle, the teacher shows how to hop when the floor is hot: feet together, short hops, soft knees (1 min).
2. Walk all around the space; on "Hot!" hop in place, and on "It cooled down!" go back to walking (2 min).
3. Now the floor is hot in one spot only: hop with feet together, then blow on your feet to cool them off (1 min).
4. Finish with one last "Super hot!" with very fast hops, then freeze like a statue (1 min).
5. Take a deep breath with hands on your tummy and notice your warm feet (1 min).

Rules

• When the floor is hot, I hop in my spot—no running.
• My feet stay together, like they're glued.
• I land softly, without stomping.
• When it cools down, I walk calmly.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: instead of hopping, the child taps feet or hands quickly on the chair when the floor is "hot."
• Hearing impairment: pair "Hot!" with a fanning gesture toward the feet and a red card.
• Autism: signal one second ahead by raising a hand, and offer a fixed spot in their favorite color to hop on.

Learning goals

• Gradually warm up the whole body.
• Jump in place with both feet together.
• Respond to a sound and visual signal.

Teacher tip

Model the "glued feet" jump first—many 3-year-olds jump one foot after the other. Keep hopping bursts short (10–15 seconds) and alternate them with walking so they don't tire out.

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