River Crabs Walk Backward

Children are river crabs who always walk backward to get from the riverbank back to their cave. It works on walking backward, looking over the shoulder and finding their way without facing where they're going.

How to play

1. We use ropes to mark a river in the middle and put the caves on one side; we explain that these crabs walk backward (2 min).
2. We practice standing still: look over your shoulder, take one step back, look, and another step (2 min).
3. From the riverbank, the crabs go back to the cave walking backward, slowly, looking over their shoulders (3 min).
4. Each crab carries some food (a scarf) in its claws to its cave, always backward (3 min).
5. We sit in the cave and count how many trips each crab made (2 min).

Rules

• Crabs always walk backward.
• Look over your shoulder before each step.
• If someone is behind you, stop and wait.
• Walk, don't run.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: in a wheelchair, they move backward with a classmate guiding them, or by pushing backward if they can.
• Visual impairment: they always hold hands with a guide classmate who says "one more step".
• Less coordination: they can make the first trips forward and then try a few steps backward.

Learning goals

• Walk backward safely.
• Look back to find their way.
• Judge distance to reach a spot without facing it.

Equipment for a class of 25

• jump ropes: 4
• play scarves: 25

Teacher tip

Leave lots of open space and watch that nobody goes too fast; walking backward in a hurry ends in a fall. On a hard surface, use a rubber or grassy area if possible.

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