Kangaroos Hop the Low Fences

Plastic poles resting on agility blocks make several rows of very low fences, and children, turned into kangaroos, hop over them with feet together. They work on jumping, soft landings and rhythm between fences.

How to play

1. Before starting, the teacher sets up four lanes with three fences each: a pole resting on two blocks lying flat, about a hand's height off the ground (1 min).
2. We're all kangaroos: practice two-footed hops with no fence, landing softly with bent knees (2 min).
3. Kangaroos hop each fence down the lanes and bounce back along the outside; all lanes run at once (3 min).
4. The teacher raises some fences by standing the blocks on end, and kangaroos choose a lane: low or a bit higher (3 min).
5. Mama kangaroo and joey: in pairs holding hands, they hop the lowest lane together (3 min).
6. Tired kangaroos lie down in their burrow and breathe slowly (2 min).

Rules

• Jump with both feet together and land softly like a kangaroo.
• Wait until the kangaroo ahead clears the fence before you jump.
• If you knock the pole down, put it back and keep hopping.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: keep one lane with poles on the ground to cross by walking, rolling or holding an adult's hand.
• Visual impairment: use brightly colored poles and have a buddy clap right before each fence.
• More skilled children: let them choose the high lane, without making it required for anyone.

Learning goals

• Jump taking off from both feet at once.
• Absorb landings by bending the knees.
• Choose a challenge level that fits their abilities.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Plastic poles: 12
• Agility blocks: 24
• Cones: 8

Teacher tip

Poles should only rest on the blocks, never be slotted in, so they drop on their own if someone trips. Set up every lane at once so nobody waits behind more than a couple of kangaroos.

More activities like this

More main activities for Elementary