I Break the Finish Line
Each child has their own newspaper finish-line tape between two cones and sprints to break it with their chest like a champion. Children work on sprinting, starting on a signal and the joy of finishing, with no winners or losers.
How to play
- Set up lanes: in each, a newspaper strip taped between two cones at tummy height (2 min).
- Practice by walking up and breaking the tape with your tummy, arms in the air (2 min).
- Run on the teacher's signal, "Ready, set… go!", and everyone breaks their own tape (3 min).
- Try different starts: sitting, lying on your tummy, or facing away from the finish (3 min).
- In the last race, everyone breaks one long strip of butcher paper together and we celebrate as a group (2 min).
Rules
- Everyone runs in their own lane.
- Wait for "Go!" to start.
- Break the tape with your tummy, not your hands.
- Everyone finishes, and everyone cheers.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, short races (about 25 feet) and standing starts.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, about 40 feet with sitting or lying starts.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, start when you see a colored card instead of hearing the signal, with a 50-foot finish.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: set the tape at the right height to break it with the wheelchair, an arm or a pool noodle.
- Visual impairment: run with a buddy guide connected by a short tether, and an adult claps at the finish.
- Hearing impairment: start the race by dropping a colored scarf, always in view.
Learning goals
- Sprint in a straight line at top speed.
- React to a start signal.
- Enjoy finishing as a personal achievement.
Equipment for a class of 25
- newspaper strips: 60
- masking tape: 1
- cones: 12
Teacher tip
Prepare lots of strips ahead of time; each child needs several. Newspaper tape breaks instantly so no one gets hurt, but keep it at tummy height, never at neck height.
PatioLab has "I Break the Finish Line" and 8714 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
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