Little Mice Carry Cheese Under the Tables
Tables pushed together in a row are the pantry, and the little mice crawl underneath to carry a piece of cheese (a beanbag) on their backs to their mouse hole. It works on crawling, awareness of their own height and control so the load doesn't fall.
How to play
- Push three tables into a row and check they don't move; set up the mouse hole with yellow scarves on the far side (2 min).
- First trip: crawl under the tables with no load, head low so you don't touch the ceiling (2 min).
- Now each mouse carries a beanbag of cheese on its back and crawls slowly so it doesn't fall off (3 min).
- Super-low mouse trip: belly-crawl with the cheese in one hand (2 min).
- The cat (the teacher) is asleep next to the pantry: sneak by quietly so it doesn't wake up (2 min).
- Count all the cheese in the mouse hole and the little mice curl up to rest (1 min).
Rules
- Under the table I go on hands and knees, head down low.
- I wait for the mouse ahead to come out before I go in.
- If my cheese falls off, I stop and put it back.
- Nobody climbs on top of the tables.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, use only two tables and carry the cheese in the hand instead of on the back.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, cheese on the back plus sneaking past the sleeping cat.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, three tables, and when they come out they carry a second cheese on their head to the mouse hole.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: travels along the side of the table row as a mouse, carrying the cheese in hand.
- Visual impairment: an adult at the end of the tables claps softly to guide them, and the row is straight.
- Autism: if they don't like going under a roof, they can be the watch cat or go under just one table.
Learning goals
- Crawl and belly-crawl coordinating arms and legs.
- Fit the body into a low space.
- Carry an object with control.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Tables: 6
- Beanbags: 25
- Yellow scarves: 6
Teacher tip
Move the chairs away first and check there are no staples or gum under the tables. The usual mistake is lifting the head at the end and bumping the edge, so call out “Head down until you see the light!”
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