The Box Monster Goes for a Walk

A cardboard box with painted eyes and teeth is a hungry monster that the teacher slowly drags around the playground by a rope; children follow it and toss sock balls into its open mouth. They practice throwing at a moving target and moving while keeping their eyes on it.

How to play

1. Meet Gobbler the monster: he's sitting still, and we feed him from close up to wake him (2 min).
2. The monster starts walking very slowly in a straight line, and we throw from the sides (3 min).
3. Now he walks in curves, and we walk along so we can throw when he faces us (4 min).
4. The monster gets tired and stops; we gather every ball around him and fill his belly (2 min).
5. We say good night and cover him with a scarf (1 min).

Rules

• I walk beside the monster, never in front of the rope.
• I throw at the mouth, not at the teacher.
• I only pick up balls when the monster has stopped.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the monster passes in front of their chair again and again so they can throw as it goes by.
• Visual impairment: hang a bell inside the box so it jingles as it moves.
• More skilled: throw with the non-dominant hand or from farther away.

Learning goals

• Throw at a moving target.
• Move while tracking an object with the eyes.
• Play in a group while looking out for others.

Equipment for a class of 25

• large cardboard box: 1
• rope: 1
• sock balls: 25

Teacher tip

The box should be wide with low sides so balls go in easily. Always pull it slowly, walking backward toward an empty area; little ones get excited and crowd in. Chalk a "monster path" ahead of time.

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