The Big Ball Can't Escape the Circle

Sitting or standing in a circle, children pass a giant exercise ball by pushing it across the inside of the circle and stop it together so it doesn't escape. It builds pushing and receiving a large object and paying attention to the group.

How to play

1. Sit in a circle with legs apart and feet touching your neighbor's: we make a fence so the ball can't escape (2 min).
2. The teacher pushes the ball to the middle; whoever gets it stops it with both hands, says their name and pushes it to another friend (3 min).
3. Now the ball keeps rolling without stopping: guide it with your hands and send it to the friend you're looking at (2 min).
4. Stand up in a smaller circle and the ball travels by tapping it gently with both hands, low to the ground (3 min).
5. Final round: the ball goes all the way around the outside of the circle, hand to hand, without touching the floor (2 min).

Rules

• Before you push, look at who you're sending it to.
• The ball rolls on the floor; we never throw it at anyone's face.
• If it gets out, the closest child fetches it and we start again.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: a child using a wheelchair is part of the circle and stops the ball with hands or footrest; classmates adjust to their height.
• Autism: always say the child's name and wait for eye contact or attention before pushing the ball to them.
• Visual impairment: roll the ball slowly and call the child's name plus “Coming!”, with classmates on each side helping to stop it.

Learning goals

• Push and stop a large ball with both hands.
• Aim the ball toward a specific classmate.
• Stay focused during a group game.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Giant exercise ball: 2

Teacher tip

Make small circles: with the whole class in one circle, there's too much waiting. If the ball bounces over legs, have children bring their feet closer together.

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