Jack and the Magic Beanstalk Climb
A Jack and the Beanstalk movement story: kids plant the bean, climb the magic beanstalk on the wall bars, sneak through the giant's castle without waking him and climb down with a golden egg. They practice low climbing, balance and body control.
How to play
- Before class, put mats under the wall bars, a gym bench right after them (castle) and the beanbags (golden eggs) at the end of the bench.
- The seed (2 min): curl up on the floor. 'Jack planted a magic bean and it grew and grew...' Kids rise slowly until fully stretched.
- The beanstalk (5 min): four at a time, each on their own section, kids climb to the third rung at most and climb down slowly, with you right there. Kids waiting crawl along the mats.
- The castle (4 min): after climbing down, kids tiptoe across the bench while the tambourine taps softly (the giant is snoring). At the end, they take a golden egg.
- The giant wakes up! (3 min): one loud bang: anyone on the bench steps down carefully and everyone walks quickly back home (the starting mat) with their egg.
- Ending (2 min): everyone is home with the eggs. Sit down and breathe out in relief: three big blows.
Rules
- On the wall bars, no higher than the third rung.
- Always climb down facing the bars.
- One child per wall bar section.
- Step off the bench; don't jump.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, go up to the second rung only and swap the bench for a rope on the floor.
Standard
Third rung at most and the bench with the teacher nearby.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, move sideways along the wall bars at low height before climbing down.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: pull up with the arms on the lowest rungs from the mat, with help.
- Visual impairment: guide the hands to each rung and talk through every step.
- More skilled kids move sideways; less skilled kids climb just a couple of rungs.
Learning goals
- Climb up and down safely at a low height.
- Balance on the bench.
- Follow a story sequence with the body.
Equipment for a class of 25
- wall bars
- mats: 6
- gym bench: 1
- beanbags: 20
- hand drum (tambourine): 1
Teacher tip
If you're the only adult, open only the section within arm's reach; others do the crawling part. Check that the mats don't slide apart.
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