Ladders to Climb, Snakes to Slither
A giant snakes and ladders board drawn on the ground: land at the bottom of a ladder and you climb by stepping between the rungs; land on a snake's head and you slide back down, slithering beside a rope. It builds foot coordination, crawling and patience with turns.
How to play
- The teacher chalks a 16-square path that zigzags back and forth. Lay two agility ladders flat to link lower squares with higher ones, and three wavy ropes as snakes that go back down (2 min).
- Try the two special paths: climb the ladder by stepping into each gap, and slide down the snake on your belly next to the rope, hissing “ssss” (3 min).
- Four groups of game pieces take turns rolling the giant die and move forward by jumping square to square while counting (3 min).
- Keep playing: land at the foot of a ladder and climb up; land on a snake's head and slither down, then cheer “Back up we go!” (5 min).
- When the last group reaches the finish, we all climb the ladder one more time together and sit on the final square (2 min).
Rules
- Climb the ladder by stepping into the gaps, without skipping any.
- Go down the snake slithering, not running.
- Sliding down a snake isn't losing: it's more game.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, the teacher leads the whole class as one piece, with one ladder and one snake and a 1-to-3 die.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, four groups, two ladders and three snakes.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, climb the ladder with different steps (feet together, sideways, hopping) and go down the snake backward or in a crab walk.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: travel the ladder by weaving the wheelchair between cones and follow the snake rope with the chair.
- Visual impairment: a buddy guides, and the ladder has thick rope rungs that can be felt underfoot.
- Autism: preview with pictures what climbing up and sliding down mean, and practice without the die first.
Learning goals
- Coordinate steps within a marked space.
- Move by crawling with arms and legs.
- Handle the ups and downs of the game with good humor.
Equipment for a class of 25
- tizas: 6
- cuerdas: 6
- escalera de agilidad: 2
- dado gigante: 1
Teacher tip
If you don't have an agility ladder, chalk one or lay out poles on the ground. Count the squares out loud with the group: that's where most mistakes happen.
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