Human Paint Rollers

Children are paint rollers rolling across the mats to paint the floor an imaginary color. They practice log rolls and get the whole body moving.

How to play

1. We line up the mats and the teacher shows a real paint roller (or acts one out): "A roller is long and rolls straight" (1 min).
2. Everyone lies on their back with arms stretched over their head: we're sleepy rollers stretching out really long (1 min).
3. Four at a time, we roll from one end of the mat to the other, painting the floor red, while the others wait as paint cans (2 min).
4. We change colors: now we roll with arms tucked by our sides and roll back the other way (1 min).
5. We sit up and "clean" our rollers by rubbing our arms and legs with our hands (1 min).

Rules

• Rollers roll only on the mat.
• Wait until the friend in front reaches the end.
• Roll with your body stretched and your head careful.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the child lies on their side while an adult helps them turn slowly, or they're the "paint can" calling out colors.
• Autism: few children per turn and a picture of the there-and-back route; give notice before switching colors.
• Visual impairment: place a rolled towel along the edge of the mat so they can feel where it ends.

Learning goals

• Log roll with control.
• Keep the body long while rolling.
• Wait for their turn to start.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Mats: 4

Teacher tip

Put the mats against a wall or with clear space around them so no one rolls onto the floor. The typical mistake is bending the knees and rolling crooked: "Long roller, legs together."

More activities like this

More warm-ups for Elementary