Pop-Up Toys Jump Out of the Box

Children are jack-in-the-box toys hiding in open boxes: they crouch inside, and when the imaginary crank turns, they spring up with a “Boing!” It warms up the legs with squats and vertical jumps and plays with the thrill of surprise.

How to play

1. The teacher shows how a pop-up toy works: crouched and very still, and when it goes off, up you pop! (1 min).
2. Each child or pair gets in a big open box and crouches; the teacher turns the crank with soft drum taps, and on the loud beat everyone jumps (1 min).
3. Each time the crank turns faster or slower: we have to wait for the loud beat (1 min).
4. The toys climb out and bounce around the yard like springs; on the drum they pack themselves back into their box (1 min).
5. Color toys: the teacher calls a clothing color and only those kids pop up (1 min).
6. The toys run out of wind-up: they sink slowly into their boxes and rest (1 min).

Rules

• I crouch and wait for the loud beat.
• I jump straight up and stay in my box.
• If I share a box, I jump without elbowing.
• When I pack myself away, I crouch slowly.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the pop-up toy pops with their arms from the wheelchair, flinging hands open.
• Autism: if loud beats are uncomfortable, the teacher raises both arms instead of hitting the drum and gives a heads-up with eye contact.
• Hearing impairment: the signal is a scarf the teacher tosses in the air.

Learning goals

• Warm up the legs with squats and jumps.
• Wait for a signal before acting.
• Enjoy surprise and anticipation.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Large cardboard boxes: 12
• Hand drum: 1

Teacher tip

Cut the boxes down to the kids' waist height and remove the flaps so no one gets poked. If boxes are short, kids share in pairs, facing each other.

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