Sack-Hop Kangaroos Along the Cones

Standing in a sack pulled up to the waist, children hop with feet together along a cone path, like the sack races at town fairs, but with no race: each child goes at their own pace. It works on two-foot jumping, balance and a traditional game.

How to play

1. Talk about sack races at town fairs and practice stepping into the sack and holding it up with our hands (2 min).
2. Kangaroo hops in place, then small hops forward (2 min).
3. Hop along the cone path, each at our own pace, going around each cone without rushing (4 min).
4. In pairs, one kangaroo hops while the other walks alongside; then switch (3 min).
5. Step out of the sack, fold it and put it in the basket (1 min).

Rules

• Hold the sack at your waist with your hands.
• We hop, we don't run.
• If I fall, I get up and keep going; nobody pushes.

Variations

Adaptations

• Less balance: a buddy holds their hand while they hop.
• Limited mobility: lay the sack over the legs, follow the same path in the wheelchair and count a partner's hops.
• Visual impairment: a buddy guide calls "cone on your right" or "cone on your left".

Learning goals

• Jump continuously with feet together.
• Keep balance with restricted feet.
• Get to know a traditional fair game.

Equipment for a class of 25

• cloth or burlap sacks: 25
• cones: 12
• basket: 1

Teacher tip

Grass or a mat floor is best: falls are common and always forward. Use clean cloth sacks or old pillowcases, never plastic bags.

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