London Bridge Hug

Two or three pairs make bridges with their arms while everyone else walks under singing "London Bridge Is Falling Down"; when the song ends, the bridge lowers into a gentle hug and that child joins to make a new bridge. It practices ducking, moving under, and cooperation with no one out.

How to play

1. The teacher and a child build an arm bridge and show how it lowers slowly into a soft hug (2 min).
2. Make three bridges in pairs; the others walk under in a line while singing (2 min).
3. When the song ends, bridges lower; whoever is caught makes a new bridge with someone (3 min).
4. Keep going until there are lots of bridges—now it's a long tunnel everyone travels through (3 min).
5. Go through the tunnel in different ways: crouched, sideways, crawling (2 min).

Rules

• Bridges come down slowly and hug gently.
• Go under one at a time, no pushing.
• Getting caught isn't losing—you become a bridge!

Variations

Adaptations

• A wheelchair user can help hold a high bridge or roll through an extra-wide one.
• For kids who don't like hugs, the bridge just lowers its arms to the sides without touching.
• Blind or low-vision children go through holding a buddy's hand who says "duck!"

Learning goals

• Duck and move under obstacles.
• Cooperate to build bridges and tunnels.
• Learn a traditional English singing game.

Teacher tip

Ask beforehand who doesn't want hugs and honor it. Kids often drop their arms fast—practice the "slow bridge" first.

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