No Touching Balls Till the Triangle
Children walk among sleeping balls without touching them and may only pick them up when the triangle rings; for other sounds the balls stay asleep. It builds holding back the urge to grab and moving around obstacles.
How to play
- Balls are spread on the floor: they're asleep, and we walk among them without touching (2 min).
- The triangle rings: each child picks up a ball and bounces or carries it however they like; on the next triangle they set it down and walk away (3 min).
- Different walks among the sleeping balls: on tiptoe, sideways, like giants (2 min).
- Trick sounds: the teacher claps or taps the hand drum, and the balls stay asleep (3 min).
- Last triangle: everyone picks up a ball and walks it to the basket (2 min).
Rules
- Sleeping balls aren't touched, not even with your foot.
- Only the triangle wakes them up.
- Everyone takes one ball.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, no trick sounds and just a few balls spread far apart.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, add the clap trick and different walks.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, several tricks, and on the triangle only balls of the color the teacher names may be picked up.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: set the balls on cones at hand height so the child doesn't have to bend down.
- Visual impairment: use fewer, more spread-out balls with a buddy guide; the triangle is the clear signal.
- Hearing impairment: ring the triangle with your arm held high so it can be seen.
Learning goals
- Hold back from grabbing until the signal.
- Move around objects.
- Pick out one sound among several.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Balls: 25
- Triangle: 1
- Hand drum: 1
- Basket: 1
Teacher tip
Spread the balls with plenty of space between them so no one steps on one and slips. Accidental kicks are common, so go slowly at first.
PatioLab has "No Touching Balls Till the Triangle" and 8714 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
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