Light Bulbs That Turn On, Blink and Burn Out

Each child is a light bulb and the teacher has the switch: off, we curl into a ball; on, we open like a star; blinking, we do jumping jacks; burnt out, we wobble and slowly sink to the floor. It works on reacting to a signal and warming up with jumps.

How to play

1. The teacher shows the four bulb positions: off (ball), on (star), blinking (jumping jacks) and burnt out (wobble and down) (1 min).
2. Play with just off and on: the teacher says “click” and we switch fast (1 min).
3. Add blinking: we do jumping jacks while the teacher says “click, click, click” (1 min).
4. Add the burnt-out bulb: we wobble and sink slowly like a leaf (1 min).
5. The teacher mixes the calls faster and faster, and we finish switched on, shining with a big smile (1 min).

Rules

• Each bulb lights up in its own spot.
• A burnt-out bulb sinks slowly; no throwing yourself down.
• Listen for the “click” before you change.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: off is hugging yourself, on is opening the arms, blinking is opening and closing the hands fast.
• Hearing impairment: the teacher flicks the room lights or shows a light bulb card.
• Visual impairment: name each position clearly in addition to the “click.”

Learning goals

• React quickly to a sound cue.
• Switch between curled-up and stretched-out body shapes.
• Control the way down to the floor.

Teacher tip

Practice the burnt-out fall before mixing: knees on the floor first, then the body. Indoors, flicking the real lights on and off works great as a signal.

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