Life-Size Body Tracings

In pairs, one child lies on butcher paper while the teacher or partner traces their outline. Then each child colors their tracing, points to body parts and moves them. Kids build a whole-body image and body-part vocabulary.

How to play

1. Before class, lay strips of butcher paper on the floor, one per pair, with a box of crayons next to each strip.
2. Sitting in a circle, the teacher lies on a sheet and a volunteer traces around them while everyone calls out "head, arm, hand…" (3 min).
3. In pairs, one child lies face up with arms and legs slightly apart; the teacher or partner traces slowly. Then they switch (6 min).
4. Each child sits by their outline and draws eyes, mouth, hair and hands. Cue: "Draw where your nose is!" (4 min).
5. Touch game: the teacher says "Put your hand on your tracing's knee and touch your own knee!" Repeat with 6–8 parts (3 min).
6. To finish, each child lies back down inside their drawing to see if they still "fit" (2 min).

Rules

• Trace slowly and never draw on a friend's clothes or skin.
• Crayons stay on the paper.
• No stepping on other kids' tracings.
• The child lying down stays still like a statue.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: trace the child seated in their chair, or trace just the hand and arm on a table.
• Autism: show a photo of a finished tracing first and let the teacher trace instead of a peer if touch is uncomfortable.
• Different skill levels: chunky crayons and big parts for some; fingers, nails and ears for those ready for more.

Learning goals

• Recognize the overall shape of their own body.
• Name and locate the main body parts.
• Connect the real body with a drawing of it.

Equipment for a class of 25

• butcher paper (5 ft strips): 10
• crayons: 40

Teacher tip

Set out the paper before kids arrive and model it yourself first: they love seeing the teacher's outline. Hang the tracings on the wall to reuse in later lessons.

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