I Push the Box With My Back, Bottom, and Feet

Each child moves a box from one line to another without using hands: with their back, bottom while sitting, feet while lying down, or a knee. Kids discover which body parts can push and figure out how.

How to play

1. Everyone has a box behind the start line; the teacher asks, “How can we move it without hands?” and listens to ideas (1 min).
2. We push with our backs, walking backward with the box resting against us (2 min).
3. Sitting on the floor, we push the box with our feet, straightening and bending our legs (2 min).
4. We push with our bottoms, sitting and scooting backward (2 min).
5. Each child picks another part (knee, shoulder, tummy while crawling; never the head) and shows the others (3 min).
6. We line up the boxes and push hard against the wall with our hands, then let go and relax (2 min).

Rules

• Hands stay still; today they don't push.
• Heads never push.
• I push my box toward the line without bumping another one.
• If a friend comes up with a way, we all try it.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: push with an arm, forearm, or the wheelchair footrest; any part they can use counts.
• Autism: show each way with a picture and keep the same lane the whole time.
• More skilled children: put a cushion in the box to make it heavier.

Learning goals

• Discover that different body parts can push.
• Find their own movement solutions.
• Control the direction of a push.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Medium cardboard boxes: 25
• Painter's tape: 1

Teacher tip

Mark lanes with painter's tape so each child pushes in a straight line. Rule out head-pushing right away, because it's the first thing they think of.

More activities like this

More main activities for Elementary