I'm a Balance Scale

With arms out wide, children become balance scales: they hold an object in each hand and lower the arm holding the heavier one. It builds weight awareness, postural balance and comparing.

How to play

1. The teacher shows a real scale or a picture and copies it with arms out (1 min).
2. Each child takes a heavy sack and a foam ball, closes their eyes and lowers the arm that feels heavier (2 min).
3. In pairs, one is the scale with eyes closed and the other places objects in their hands (3 min).
4. Switch roles (2 min).
5. Walking scales: with an object in each hand, walk slowly without dropping either one (2 min).
6. Put the objects down; the empty scale stays balanced with arms straight and still (2 min).

Rules

• Place objects in hands, don't throw them.
• The scale closes their eyes to feel the weight better.
• If an arm gets tired, lower it and rest.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited arm mobility: rest the objects on the knees or on palms on a table and the child says which is heavier.
• Visual impairment: no sight needed; the partner says “here it comes” before placing the object.
• Hearing loss: the teacher models with arms out and points to the arm that drops.

Learning goals

• Compare the weight of two objects without looking.
• Hold arms out and keep the body balanced.
• Use the words heavier, lighter and the same.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Sealed cloth sacks: 25
• Foam balls: 13

Teacher tip

Don't keep arms up more than 20–30 seconds at a time: little ones tire fast. If you have a toy pan balance, show it at the start; they love it.

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