Paper Plate Slider Strength Challenges

With two paper plates under the hands or feet, students take on strength challenges sliding across the gym floor: mountain climbers, side lunges, the seal crawl and the skater. They build leg, arm and core strength with cheap, highly motivating equipment.

How to play

1. Each student takes two plates and finds a spot with 2 yards of space all around (2 min).
2. Guided challenge ladder: mountain climbers with feet on the plates, side lunge sliding one foot, and plank knee tucks. 30 seconds of work and 20 seconds of rest, two rounds (6 min).
3. Seal crawl relay: teams of five behind a cone; in a plank with feet on the plates, pull forward 8 yards with the arms and walk back. Two rounds (6 min).
4. Skater duel: partners face each other; the leader slides sideways left or right and the partner mirrors. 30 seconds and switch, four times (4 min).
5. Inner thigh and shoulder stretches, then plates go back in a box (2 min).

Rules

• Use plates only on smooth, dry gym floors, never outdoors.
• Plates go under the feet or hands; never stand and run on them.
• Move slowly and with control; keep the back flat in planks.
• Anyone with groin discomfort shortens the lunge.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: in a wheelchair, slide the plates with the hands on a table, making circles and pushes for the same time.
• Autism: a card showing the order of challenges and a warning before each change.
• Lower fitness: choose the knees-down version and work for 20 seconds.

Learning goals

• Build lower body, upper body and core strength.
• Control the body on a sliding surface.
• Discover a simple tool to train at home as well.

Equipment for a class of 25

• paper plates: 60
• cones: 5

Teacher tip

Test the floor first: if the plates drag, they tear quickly. Keep spares handy and recycle the torn ones at the end.

More activities like this

More main activities for Elementary