Seagulls Catch Floating Scarves

The teacher tosses chiffon scarves in the air like jumping fish, and the seagulls run to catch them before or right after they land, then fly them to their nest. It builds tracking a falling object with the eyes and catching while moving.

How to play

1. We fly around like seagulls, arms wide, calling "caw, caw!" (1 min).
2. The teacher tosses one scarf up high and everyone watches it float down without touching it (1 min).
3. The teacher tosses lots of scarves at once: each seagull catches one, in the air or on the ground, and takes it to a nest basket (2 min).
4. Now each seagull tosses their own scarf up and catches it before it touches the ground (2 min).
5. The seagulls drop all their fish in the nests and land on the floor with wings tucked in (1 min).

Rules

• Catch one fish at a time.
• If two seagulls grab the same fish, one goes to find another.
• Look up while you fly, but don't bump into friends.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the teacher tosses the scarf near the wheelchair and the child catches it with their hands or hooks it with a pool noodle.
• Low vision: use very bright scarves, toss them close, and call "here it comes!" each time.
• Autism: let the child catch from a fixed spot at the edge, with their own scarf in a color that stays the same.

Learning goals

• Track a slowly falling object with the eyes.
• Catch a moving object with the hands.
• Warm up with easy running and changes of direction.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Chiffon scarves: 30
• Baskets: 4

Teacher tip

Chiffon scarves fall so slowly that even 3-year-olds can catch them. Toss them toward different areas so the kids don't all pile up in one spot.

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