How Many Bounces Does the Drum Say?
The teacher taps the drum one, two or three times, and children bounce the ball with both hands that many times and then catch it. It builds two-handed bouncing and catching matched to a beat and a number.
How to play
- Everyone in their own spot with a ball: bounce it freely with both hands to see how it responds (2 min).
- One drum tap, one bounce and into the basket: bounce and catch along with the drum (3 min).
- Two or three taps: bounce and catch as many times as you hear, counting out loud (3 min).
- The drum goes slow or fast and so do our bounces (2 min).
- In pairs, one claps and the other bounces and catches what they hear; then switch (2 min).
- End with a very quiet drum: tiny bounces until we hug the ball (1 min).
Rules
- Listen to the drum before you bounce.
- Bounce with both hands and catch with both hands.
- Stay in your own spot, not in your friend's.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, one tap and one bounce, dropping the ball and hugging it.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, up to two bounces, counting out loud with the teacher.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, up to three bounces in a row without stopping and a clean two-handed catch, with slow and fast rhythms.
Adaptations
- Hearing impairment: the teacher also holds up fingers or makes a big arm motion with each tap.
- Limited mobility: bounce while seated with a hoop alongside so the ball doesn't roll far, or keep the beat by tapping the ball on the knees.
- Autism or noise sensitivity: tap the drum softly and give a heads-up before changing rhythm.
Learning goals
- Bounce and catch with both hands in a controlled way.
- Match the number and rhythm of bounces to a sound cue.
- Count actions while moving.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Medium rubber balls: 25
- Hand drum: 1
Teacher tip
Always start with a single tap until everyone catches calmly; jumping to three too soon makes balls roll away and kids get frustrated. Face the children when you play the drum.
PatioLab has "How Many Bounces Does the Drum Say?" and 8714 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
More main activities for Elementary
"Al Pasar la Barca" Parachute Rowing
Sitting around the parachute, children row by pulling the fabric toward them and letting it go toward the middle to the rhythm of the traditional Spanish song "Al pasar…
"Corro de la Patata" Parachute Circle
Children circle with the parachute while singing the traditional Spanish song "Al corro de la patata" (Potato Circle), and on "achupé, achupé" everyone sits down…
"El Patio de Mi Casa" Parachute Song
Children sing the traditional Spanish ring song "El patio de mi casa" while circling with the parachute and lowering it to the ground on "agáchate" (squat down).
"Que Llueva" Parachute Rain
Using the traditional Spanish children's song "Que llueva, que llueva" (Let It Rain), children make rain, clouds and sun with the parachute, and some hide underneath as…
«A la Zapatilla por Detrás»: The Slipper Behind Your Back
Sitting in a circle with eyes covered, one child walks around the outside with a slipper singing the traditional Spanish rhyme «A la zapatilla por detrás» («the…
«A Tapar la Calle»: The Chain That Blocks the Street
Half the class forms a hand-in-hand chain that walks forward singing the traditional Spanish song «A tapar la calle» («Block the street so nobody passes»), while the…