Ping-Pong Canal

Sitting in a line, each child holds a piece of channel (a cardboard tube cut lengthwise), and together they make a ping-pong ball travel along the channels by blowing it from one to the next. It works on controlled blowing, coordinating hands to connect the channels, and teamwork.

How to play

1. The teacher hands out the channels and shows how to connect them by laying the edge of one over the next (2 min).
2. In pairs, they try blowing the ball from one channel to the other: one blows softly while the other catches it with their channel slightly tilted (3 min).
3. A line of six: the ball starts with the first child and each one blows it into the next channel, raising or lowering their own to help (3 min).
4. The line becomes a snake: they stand up, walk a few steps with channels connected, stop, and blow the ball to the end (3 min).
5. The ball reaches the last child, who blows it into a box; everyone cheers (1 min).

Rules

• I blow softly so the ball doesn't jump out.
• My channel always touches my friend's.
• If the ball falls, the child who had it puts it back.
• We wait for it to reach our channel without grabbing it.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: works perfectly in a wheelchair; place the child in line at the right height.
• Visual impairment: the friend next to them says "Here it comes!" and they feel the ball arrive in the channel with their hand.
• More skilled children: the last child raises their piece to make a hill the ball has to be blown up.

Learning goals

• Control blowing strength so the ball stays in.
• Coordinate hands to connect the channels.
• Work together to move an object as a group.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Ping-pong balls: 6
• Cardboard tubes cut in half: 25

Teacher tip

Paper towel tubes cut lengthwise with a craft knife (adult prep beforehand) are ideal. Use regulation ping-pong balls, never smaller balls.

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