Pumping Up the Bouncy Castle
The circle of children is a flat bouncy castle that grows with everyone's puffs, becomes a place to bounce, and then deflates with a hiss. It warms up the body with jumping and coordinates the group's breathing.
How to play
- In a circle holding hands, everyone crouches on the floor: we are a bouncy castle with no air (1 min).
- Each time the teacher says "Air!", everyone breathes in through the nose and blows out "fff", and the castle rises a little without letting go of hands (1 min).
- Once the castle is standing tall and wide open, they let go and bounce inside the circle as if on the bouncy castle (2 min).
- The teacher "opens the valve": they hold hands again and the castle slowly deflates going "sss" until they're crouched down (1 min).
- They pump it up one last time and stand breathing calmly, ready to start the lesson (1 min).
Rules
- I don't let go until the castle is pumped up.
- I blow at the same time as my friends.
- I bounce in my own spot without bumping.
- When I deflate, I go down slowly.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, the castle fills in three puffs and the teacher stands inside the circle leading the jumps.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, five puffs and bouncing with feet together.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, the teacher makes "leaks": when they tap someone, the castle loses air on that side and those children sink down.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the child joins the circle seated, raising arms to inflate and waving them instead of bouncing.
- Visual impairment: the child holds hands with two friends the whole time, who guide them while bouncing.
- Autism: if holding hands is hard, the circle can be joined by a rope everyone holds.
Learning goals
- Coordinate breathing with the rest of the group.
- Wake up the legs with jumps.
- Feel part of a shared project.
Teacher tip
Let the air sounds be big and silly; kids love it. Keep the bouncing short: two quick rounds work better than one long one.
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