Sideways Along the Castle Ledge

The bench is the narrow castle ledge and kids move along it sideways with step-together steps, like explorers pressed against the wall. It builds balance while moving sideways and a sense of left and right.

How to play

1. We set up the benches with mats on both sides; the teacher explains we're sneaking along the castle ledge so we won't wake the dragon (2 min).
2. On the floor, we practice the side step: one foot goes, the other catches up, no crossing (2 min).
3. We step onto the ledge and move along it sideways facing a pretend wall, on tiptoe and quietly (3 min).
4. We come back sideways the other way, now facing the castle courtyard (2 min).
5. The dragon snores (the teacher goes "grrr"): we freeze on the ledge until it stops, then carry on and climb down at the tower (3 min).

Rules

• Feet come together, but they don't cross.
• Quiet on the ledge: the dragon is sleeping.
• One explorer per stretch of ledge.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: they move sideways along the floor next to the bench, hands resting on it.
• Visual impairment: they keep one hand on the shoulder of an adult walking on the floor.
• Autism: keep the dragon's snore soft and announce it beforehand with a gesture.

Learning goals

• Keep balance while moving sideways on a narrow surface.
• Tell which way they're going: right or left.
• Control the body to stop and start again.

Equipment for a class of 25

• banco sueco: 3
• colchonetas: 6

Teacher tip

Looking ahead helps more than looking at their feet. The usual mistake is crossing the legs, so model it very slowly: "one goes, the other catches up."

More activities like this

More main activities for Elementary