My Feet Make the Ball
Sitting on the floor, children crumple a newspaper sheet into a ball using only their feet, then carry it with their feet to a box. They work on toe strength and dexterity and seated balance.
How to play
- Take off shoes, sit on the floor with hands behind you, and lay the open sheet in front of your feet (1 min).
- Use your toes to crumple the sheet little by little, no hands (3 min).
- Squeeze the ball between the soles of both feet to make it round (2 min).
- Lift the ball with your feet and scoot on your bottom to carry it to the box (3 min).
- Wiggle your toes like playing the piano to relax them (1 min).
Rules
- Hands stay on the floor behind you.
- Everyone crumples their own sheet.
- If the ball rolls away, get it back with your feet.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, use half a sheet and they may finish the ball with their hands.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, a full sheet with feet only.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, after making the ball, toss it into the box with the feet from a seated position.
Adaptations
- Limited leg mobility: make the ball with one hand or the elbows, without using the fingers.
- Autism or tactile sensitivity in the feet: thin socks are fine.
- Visual impairment: the box has a large bell inside so it can be heard, and the teacher moves it close at first.
Learning goals
- Strengthen the foot muscles and build dexterity.
- Keep balance while seated with hands for support.
- Discover the foot as a body part that can grab too.
Equipment for a class of 25
- newspaper sheets: 25
- cardboard box: 1
Teacher tip
This calm activity works well as a transition between active games. Do the foot movement yourself where everyone can see it; many children find it hard to move their toes without moving their hands too.
PatioLab has "My Feet Make the Ball" and 8714 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
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