Kangaroos with a Knee Balloon

Children carry a balloon without using their hands: under an arm, under the chin, and hopping like kangaroos with it between their knees. It builds jumping, posture control, and body awareness.

How to play

1. The teacher shows three ways to carry a balloon without hands: between the knees, under the chin, and squeezed under an arm (2 min).
2. Each child walks with the balloon under an arm to the basket and back (3 min).
3. Now under the chin, walking slowly (3 min).
4. We are kangaroos: balloon between the knees and small jumps from hoop to hoop (4 min).
5. Each child chooses a favorite way for the last trip and drops the balloon in the basket (2 min).
6. We stretch our legs like tired kangaroos (1 min).

Rules

• The balloon travels without hands.
• Small kangaroo hops.
• If it drops, I put it back and keep going from there.
• If a balloon pops, I don't touch the pieces: I tell my teacher.

Variations

Adaptations

• Motor-impaired: carries the balloon between arm and side or on the lap, hands-free.
• Autism: hoop route always in the same order and a visual model with photos.
• Less coordination: a bigger balloon or a foam ball between the knees.

Learning goals

• Jump with feet together while holding an object.
• Control posture while moving.
• Find different ways to carry without hands.

Equipment for a class of 25

• globos: 27
• aros: 6
• cesta: 2

Teacher tip

Inflate balloons halfway: they stay between the knees better. Under the chin, make sure it doesn't go near mouths. If one pops, pick up every piece right away and keep spare balloons already blown up; watch that no one bites them.

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