Shoe Box Skier Relay

Students slide their feet into two taped-shut shoe boxes and glide across the gym floor like skiers, first freely and then in relays and slaloms. It builds dynamic balance, coordination of arms and legs, and teamwork.

How to play

1. Build it (3 min): using boxes already prepared (lid taped on and a foot-sized hole cut in the top), each student puts one foot into each box.
2. Explore (3 min): glide without lifting your feet, pushing with your arms like invisible ski poles; practice stopping by turning your toes out.
3. Slalom (3 min): weave through a line of cones 6 feet apart and back without knocking any over.
4. Relay (4 min): teams of 5 in lines; each skier runs the slalom, then steps out of the boxes and passes them to the next teammate, who puts them on as fast as possible.
5. Partner skiing (2 min): two students holding hands glide together along a line on the floor.

Rules

• Move by sliding only, never running or jumping in the boxes.
• If a box tears, patch it with tape or swap it for a spare.
• In the relay, the next skier waits behind the starting cone.
• Safety: clean, dry floor and 6 feet between lanes.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: uses a single box under one foot, or pushes boxes with the hands from a wheelchair.
• Autism: may keep the same boxes the whole game without passing them and ski in a lane of their own.
• Balance level: may hold onto a partner or use a pole as a ski pole.

Learning goals

• Keep balance while gliding across the floor.
• Coordinate legs and arms to move and stop.
• Cooperate with the team during relay exchanges.

Equipment for a class of 25

• shoe boxes: 14
• cones: 25
• masking tape: 2

Teacher tip

Kids' sneaker boxes fit better than adult ones. This works on a gym floor; on blacktop, the boxes tear right away.

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