The Attic Spiderweb

A web of cords with bells is strung between chairs, and children belly-crawl and crawl through without waking the spider. They control how low their body is while passing under obstacles.

How to play

1. We explain that a spider sleeps in the attic and wakes up if her web jingles (1 min).
2. We tie elastic cords between chairs at different heights and hang a bell on each one (3 min).
3. Step one: we crawl under the highest cords (3 min).
4. Step two: the low cords are passed belly-crawling, tummy flat on the floor (4 min).
5. If a bell jingles, the spider (the teacher) wakes up, yawns, and goes back to sleep: nobody is out (3 min).
6. We untie the web together without making a sound (1 min).

Rules

• I go under the cords, never over.
• The lower the cord, the flatter my tummy.
• If a bell jingles, it's OK: I keep going slowly.
• I wait until the friend ahead has passed.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: leave one lane with a high cord to pass in a wheelchair or on knees.
• Autism: swap the bell for a colored ribbon if the noise is bothersome.
• Blind or low vision: describe each cord's height, and let the child touch it before passing.

Learning goals

• Adjust body height to pass under obstacles.
• Belly-crawl with control and patience.
• Handle mistakes calmly (the bell jingles).

Equipment for a class of 25

• Elastic cords: 6
• Chairs: 8
• Large jingle bells: 6

Teacher tip

Use elastic cords tied with loose bows so they give if someone gets caught; never at a standing child's neck height. Use large bells tied on securely.

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