Sandbox Trails We Draw and Walk

Children draw straight, curvy and zigzag trails in the sand with a toy rake or a big toe, then walk them stepping right on top. It works on dynamic balance, the ideas of straight and curved, and sharing tools.

How to play

1. Sitting on the edge, children watch the teacher draw a straight, a curvy and a zigzag trail in the sand and walk each one slowly (2 min).
2. In pairs, one child draws a straight trail with the rake and the other walks on it; then they switch (3 min).
3. Now curvy and zigzag trails, walked on tiptoe or heel to toe (3 min).
4. Join all the trails into one very long one and walk it single file without stepping off (3 min).
5. Erase the trails with your hands, smoothing the sand for the next kids (1 min).

Rules

• The rake stays down in the sand and gets passed from hand to hand.
• We step on our trail, not the one next to it.
• Sand stays in the sandbox.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: a child in a wheelchair draws trails with a long stick from the edge and directs a buddy who walks them.
• Visual impairment: make the trail a deeper groove so it can be followed with foot and hand.
• Autism: give the child their own corner of sand where nobody steps on their trail.

Learning goals

• Keep balance while following a path.
• Tell straight, curvy and zigzag paths apart.
• Share materials and respect classmates' work.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Toy rakes: 12

Teacher tip

In dry sand the trails fade fast: if you can, dampen one area or use the damp sand underneath. Make sure rakes stay below waist height.

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