Little Circus Ball Tricks

The circus is in town and kids are performers doing tricks with their ball: passing it from hand to hand, circling it around the body, rolling it along the arms. Children practice ball handling and body awareness.

How to play

1. Each child has a ball and sits in a half circle facing the teacher, the ringmaster. Play upbeat music (1 min).
2. Trick 1: pass the ball from one hand to the other in front of the tummy without dropping it (2 min).
3. Trick 2: circle the ball around the waist, the knees, and the neck, passing it hand to hand (2 min).
4. Trick 3: standing, roll the ball along an outstretched arm from hand to shoulder, then back down (2 min).
5. Trick 4: sitting with legs straight, roll the ball down the legs to the feet and pick it up (2 min).
6. Big show: stop the music, each child picks a favorite trick and shows it at the same time as everyone else; then all bow to the audience (3 min).

Rules

• Every performer takes care of their own ball.
• If it drops, pick it up and start the trick again.
• Stay in your spot while doing tricks.
• Clap for everyone's tricks.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: do the tricks seated in a wheelchair, around the waist or along the arms.
• Autism: show each trick on a picture card and always keep the same order.
• Skill levels: confident kids do the tricks while walking; kids who need support use a big, light ball.

Learning goals

• Handle a ball with two hands around the body.
• Name the body parts the ball travels around.
• Show a trick to others with confidence.

Equipment for a class of 25

• soft balls: 22
• music

Teacher tip

Model each trick very slowly and act amazed when it works. The final show with bows really motivates shy kids.

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