I Stepped on Your Shadow!
On a sunny playground, a few children wearing pinnies try to step on everyone else’s shadow; when your shadow gets stepped on, you take the pinny and become a shadow-stepper, so nobody is ever out. It practices running, dodging and decision-making.
How to play
- First, everyone tries to step on their own shadow: impossible, it always gets away! Laugh about it and test it by running (2 min).
- In pairs, one tries to step on the other’s shadow while they move slowly; when you step on it, switch (2 min).
- Whole-group game: four children in pinnies are shadow-steppers; if your shadow gets stepped on, say “My shadow!”, take the pinny and now you’re the stepper (3 min).
- Discover tricks: crouching makes your shadow tiny, and stepping into a tree’s shade hides it (just three seconds, counted out loud) (3 min).
- One last round with all the tricks, then finish by walking and breathing deeply (2 min).
Rules
- Step on shadows, never on a friend’s feet.
- Hand the pinny over, don’t throw it.
- In the tree’s shade, only three seconds.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, just the partner game, then the teacher is the only shadow-stepper and moves slowly.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, play with four shadow-steppers and the crouching trick.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, add the three-second hideout and more shadow-steppers.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: they’re a shadow-stepper using a “wheel step” or tapping shadows with a pool noodle.
- Hearing loss: “My shadow!” comes with a raised hand, and start and stop are shown with a flag.
- Less skilled or worried about collisions: they play in a separate area in pairs, more slowly.
Learning goals
- Run and dodge with changes of direction.
- Decide how to protect your shadow.
- Play tag without eliminating anyone.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Pinnies: 4
Teacher tip
Play this when the sun is low: at midday shadows are so short you can barely step on them. The usual mistake is stepping on feet instead of shadows: keep reminding them, “Shadow far from feet.”
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