Sponge Between Two Backs

In pairs, kids carry a wet sponge without using their hands, squeezed between their backs, tummies, or shoulders, from one cone to another and wring it out in the basin. It's a cooperative sponge race: nobody wins alone; the pair that arrives together wins.

How to play

1. The teacher and a child show how to carry the sponge between two backs, walking sideways and talking to each other (2 min).
2. In pairs, we practice with a dry sponge between our tummies, hugging, walking to a cone and back (2 min).
3. Now it's wet: the sponge goes between our backs and we walk sideways to the basin at the other end (3 min).
4. We try other ways: shoulder to shoulder, forehead to forehead (carefully), hip to hip (3 min).
5. All the pairs go at once and the teacher cheers for every pair that arrives without dropping the sponge (2 min).
6. We sit back to back with our partner, breathing together to rest (2 min).

Rules

• The sponge is carried with no hands.
• I talk to my partner: “Slower!”, “Now!”
• If it falls, we pick it up and start from that spot.
• I don't push my partner: we go together.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the sponge is held between the child's arm and their partner's, who walks beside the wheelchair.
• Visual impairment: the partner guides by voice and the course is straight, with a sound-making cone at the end.
• Autism or dislike of touch: carry the sponge between two plastic plates, one each, without touching.

Learning goals

• Match walking rhythm with a partner.
• Communicate to reach a goal together.
• Enjoy a race with no winners or losers.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Large sponges: 13
• Shallow basin: 2
• Cones: 8

Teacher tip

Pair kids of similar height and play on grass. Partners often pull in opposite directions: teach them to count “one, two” to step together. In strong heat, do fewer trips and more rest in the shade.

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