Magic Glue: Elbow to Elbow
Children move around and, when the teacher squirts magic glue on a body part, they stick to friends by that part and walk together as one shape. It wakes up the body and builds awareness of its parts.
How to play
- Walk and jog around with sticky hands, without touching anyone (1 min).
- "Glue on your hand, in twos!": stick to a friend by the hand and walk together (1 min).
- Switch body parts: elbow to elbow, shoulder to shoulder, back to back, and walk without coming unstuck (2 min).
- "Glue for three!": three kids stuck by hands or feet walk as a three-person shape (1 min).
- "The glue's run out!": come apart with a "plop" and shake out your whole body (1 min).
Rules
- I stick on gently, no pushing.
- If I come unstuck, I stick back on.
- When I hear "plop", I let go and shake.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, just hands and elbows, always in pairs.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, add shoulders and backs and groups of three.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, double glue: "hand to hand and foot to foot" at the same time.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the child sticks by hand or shoulder from the wheelchair and the partner walks at their pace.
- Autism: the child can always pair with the same trusted friend, or stick by holding a scarf instead of body contact.
- Hearing loss: the teacher points to the glued body part on their own body.
Learning goals
- Name and recognize body parts.
- Move in coordination with others.
- Accept gentle contact with classmates.
Teacher tip
Demonstrate being glued to a child in front of everyone before starting. Walking back to back is really hard: have them go sideways, like crabs.
PatioLab has "Magic Glue: Elbow to Elbow" and 8714 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
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