I Hide the Ball With My Body
Each child moves around with a ball, and when the drum stops, they hide it with the body part the teacher names: under the tummy, between the knees, behind the back. It builds body awareness, positions and ball control.
How to play
- Walk around the space holding the ball, following the drum (2 min).
- The drum stops and the teacher says, “Hide it under your tummy!”; we lie tummy-down on top of the ball (2 min).
- More hiding spots: between the knees, under an arm, behind the back while sitting, under your bottom (3 min).
- The teacher plays the seeker and walks around asking, “Where's your ball?”; each child says what body part is hiding it (2 min).
- Children invent a new hiding spot and everyone copies it (2 min).
- Finish sitting down, hiding the ball in a hug and breathing slowly (1 min).
Rules
- When the drum stops, hide the ball fast.
- The ball can't be seen: cover it well with your body.
- Move without bumping into friends.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, use three simple spots (tummy, arms, bottom) with the teacher modeling each one.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, add knees, armpit and back, and let children name the body part.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, use balance hiding spots (ball between the ankles while standing, under one leg on one foot) and move around with the ball still hidden.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: hide the ball with the parts the child can move (under an arm, between hand and leg, against the wheelchair).
- Hearing impairment: along with the drum, the teacher covers their eyes as the “hide” signal and points to the body part.
- Autism: if lying on the ball is uncomfortable, let the child choose from three pictured hiding spots.
Learning goals
- Name and use different body parts.
- Take on a variety of postures to hold an object.
- React quickly to a sound cue.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Medium soft balls: 25
- Hand drum: 1
Teacher tip
Use soft foam balls so lying on them is comfortable. At first everyone hides the ball in their hands, so stress that “hands don't count today.”
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