Inside, Outside, On Top, Beside My Box

With an open box each, children move inside, outside, behind, in front of, or beside it on the teacher's cue, and jog a lap around it between cues. It's a gentle warm-up that teaches position words with the whole body.

How to play

1. Each child stands next to their box; the teacher shows “inside” and “outside” with their own box (1 min).
2. Simple cues: “Inside!” “Outside!” Between cues we jog a lap around our box (1 min).
3. We add “In front!”, “Behind!”, and “Beside!” (1 min).
4. Now with body parts: “One hand inside,” “One foot on the edge,” “Tummy beside the box” (1 min).
5. The teacher makes silly mistakes on purpose and the kids correct them; we finish sitting inside our box (1 min).

Rules

• I listen to the word first, then I move.
• I step into the box carefully, lifting my feet high.
• I don't stand on top of the box.
• I jog around my own box, not someone else's.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: place the box on a low table or in the child's lap and they put their hands or a stuffed animal inside, outside, or beside it.
• Autism: picture cards for each position, shown as the teacher says the word.
• Visual impairment: the child explores the box by touch first, and the teacher gives cues close by, guiding by touch the first time.

Learning goals

• Understand inside, outside, in front, behind, and beside.
• Position the body to match a cue.
• Warm up with light jogging.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Medium cardboard boxes: 25

Teacher tip

Use boxes no taller than knee height. Give the cue and wait a beat before you move; that shows you who understands and who's just copying you.

More activities like this

More warm-ups for Elementary