Sleds That Stop Before the Pine Tree

Sitting feet first, kids ride down the inclined bench like sleds in the snow and learn to brake with their hands at the pine tree mark before going on. It builds controlled descent down a slope and regulating the body's speed.

How to play

1. The teacher hooks the benches onto the first rung, covers the floor with mats and sticks colored tape halfway down each bench: that's the pine tree (3 min).
2. We go up the side steps with an adult and sit at the top, feet pointing down and hands on the edges (2 min).
3. First free rides: we loosen our hands a little and slide down into the snow (3 min).
4. Rides with brakes: at the pine tree we squeeze the edges with our hands, stop, count "one, two" and go on (3 min).
5. Each sled decides where to stop: at the top, at the pine tree or all the way down, and tells the adult before going (3 min).

Rules

• Always sitting, feet first.
• We go when the sled before us is out of the snow.
• Our hands are the brakes: they always stay on the edges.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: an adult slides down alongside holding them at the waist, or a mat is laid over the bench for a slower ride.
• Autism: let them watch several rides before trying and choose when to start.
• Visual impairment: the pine tree mark is made with thick tape they can feel under their hand.

Learning goals

• Slide down an incline in a controlled way.
• Use the hands to brake and control speed.
• Decide and plan where to stop.

Equipment for a class of 25

• banco sueco: 2
• espaldera: 1
• colchonetas: 6
• cinta adhesiva de colores: 1

Teacher tip

Use smooth, splinter-free benches and watch for zippers on pant seats. Never head first or lying down in this activity: the challenge is braking, not speed.

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