Musical Statues Obstacle Loop

A looped course kids go through while the music plays. When it stops, each child becomes a statue right where they are, even on top of an obstacle. They work on coordination and body control.

How to play

1. Set up a simple loop: 4 hoops, a cone zigzag, a mat for crawling, a low bench and the tunnel. Mark the direction with an arrow cone.
2. Explain with your body: "When there's music, we do the course. When it stops, statue!" and freeze halfway through a hoop (1 min).
3. Everyone enters the loop at the same time, spaced out, going the same direction. Start the music and let them do one full lap (2 min).
4. Stop the music every 20 to 30 seconds. Free statue wherever they are: on the bench, in a hoop or on all fours on the mat (3 min).
5. Now call specific statues: "Tiptoe statue!", "Sitting statue!", "Teeny-tiny statue!" (3 min).
6. Last slow song: the course is done in slow motion and the final statue is asleep, lying on the mat or floor (3 min).

Rules

• Everyone goes the same direction.
• On the bench, statues always sit or crouch.
• If someone moves during a statue, no problem: keep playing.
• Leave space behind the child in front.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the child follows a route with no bench or tunnel and freezes with any body part they choose.
• Hearing impairment: besides stopping the music, flick the lights or raise your hands.
• More skilled: statues copying a picture you show; less skilled: the loop holding an adult's hand.

Learning goals

• Move smoothly through a course.
• Stop movement and hold a position.
• Listen and respond to music.

Equipment for a class of 25

• music: 1
• hoops: 4
• mats: 1
• cones: 5
• fabric tunnel: 1
• benches: 1

Teacher tip

Pick upbeat children's songs and a slow one for the end. Stand at the spot where you can see the bench and the tunnel at the same time.

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