Lagori: Knock Down and Rebuild the Tower of Seven

We adapt lagori, or "seven stones," a traditional game from India: roll a ball to knock down a tower of seven blocks, then the whole group builds it back up. Children practice aiming, building as a team and being patient.

How to play

1. The teacher explains that in India people play lagori with seven flat stones stacked up and a ball. Each group of six builds a tower of seven foam blocks, biggest to smallest (2 min).
2. Try rolling the ball with two hands at the tower from a nearby line; whoever knocks it over doesn't run away, we cheer! (2 min).
3. Children take turns rolling; when the tower falls, the whole group rebuilds it while the teacher chants a short rhyme: "Seven stones, one by one, build the tower to the sun" (4 min).
4. Change how we roll and rebuild: roll with one hand, carry blocks one at a time hopping on one foot or crawling (4 min).
5. Finish by building a giant tower with every group's blocks and knocking it down with one last roll together (2 min).

Rules

• Roll from the line, along the ground, not overhand.
• If the tower falls, we all rebuild it together.
• Carry one block at a time.
• Wait until the tower is rebuilt before rolling again.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: roll the ball from the wheelchair down a cardboard ramp and place the top blocks.
• Autism: give the child the steady job of "chief builder" who places the last block, and warn about the noise when the tower falls.
• Visual impairment: put a large bell inside the top block to hear when it falls, and follow a partner's voice.

Learning goals

• Roll a ball toward a nearby target.
• Build a tower in size order with others.
• Learn about a traditional game from India.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Foam blocks: 28
• Foam balls: 4

Teacher tip

This is the core of lagori without the chasing-with-the-ball part, which at this age turns into kids getting hit. Blocks in different sizes help them sort biggest to smallest.

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