Laser Maze Challenge

Like secret agents, students move through a corridor full of elastic cords at different heights, the 'lasers', without touching them to grab a diamond at the end. It works body control, flexibility, route planning and patience.

How to play

1. Build 2 mazes with the class (5 min): 20 x 6 ft lanes between two rows of chairs, with 8 elastic cords tied chair to chair on diagonals from 8 to 32 inches high. Clip clothespins on a chair at the end: these are the diamonds.
2. Make 4 teams of 6; at each maze, one team are explorers and the other are sensors, one per section (1 min).
3. Practice (3 min): each explorer crosses slowly by stepping over, crawling under or turning sideways, then walks back along the outside.
4. Mission (4 min): explorers cross one at a time, grab a clothespin and return along the outside; each touch is called by its sensor with a 'Beep!' and recorded. The stopwatch tracks the team's total time.
5. Switch roles and run a new 4-minute mission.
6. Redesign (3 min): each team moves one cord in the other team's maze to make it harder, then they test it.

Rules

• Safety: cords never go above hip height and are never jumped at a run.
• Cross by walking, crawling or sliding, never running.
• Only one explorer per maze section at a time.
• Each touch adds 5 seconds to the team's time.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: leave a lane with only high cords that a wheelchair user can pass under, dodging with arms and trunk.
• Visual impairment: the student crosses guided by a partner's voice describing each cord.
• Skill level: each explorer chooses an easy or a hard lane within the maze.

Learning goals

• Control body position in tight spaces and at different heights.
• Plan a route before moving.
• Cooperate honestly in the explorer and sensor roles.

Equipment for a class of 25

• elastic cords: 16
• chairs: 24
• clothespins: 30
• stopwatch: 2

Teacher tip

Tie cords with quick-release knots and brace chairs against a wall or weigh them down with a mat so they cannot tip. Spy mission music boosts motivation a lot.

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