Sparkle Hunters in the Cave

The dimmed classroom becomes a cave with tables to crawl under; in groups of four, one child holds the flashlight and the others crawl and creep to collect shiny cards. It practices crawling and cooperation.

How to play

1. Scatter the reflective-tape cards on the floor, under tables and by the chairs; with the lights on, the teacher shows how they shine when a light hits them (2 min).
2. Lower the blinds halfway: it’s the cave. Each group of four gets a flashlight and a box; the flashlight holder lights up the floor and the others crawl to search (2 min).
3. First hunt: belly-crawl under tables and hands-and-knees crawl along the aisles; every sparkle found goes in the group’s box (3 min).
4. Switch flashlight holders while the teacher hides the cards in new places (2 min).
5. More hunts, rotating the flashlight until everyone has had a turn (4 min).
6. Turn on the lights, count all the class’s sparkles together and put them away (2 min).

Rules

• The flashlight points at the floor, never at eyes.
• In the cave, we crawl, never walk.
• Sparkles belong to the whole group.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: they hold the flashlight and guide the group by voice from a fixed spot.
• Visual impairment: cards with a texture glued on (Velcro, sandpaper) so they can find them by touch too.
• Autism or fear of the dark: start with the lights on and lower the blinds when they’re ready.

Learning goals

• Crawl confidently through low spaces.
• Cooperate by sharing roles.
• Move safely in dim light.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Flashlights: 6
• Cards with reflective tape: 30
• Tables: 4
• Boxes: 6

Teacher tip

Make the cards large (about half a sheet of paper) so nothing ends up in anyone’s mouth. Clear tripping hazards beforehand and always leave some daylight in: we want dim, not dark.

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