The Ferris Wheel Goes Up and Down

In circles of eight, children are the cars on a Ferris wheel: they turn with side steps and, on the signal, the high cars go down and the low ones go up without letting go. It builds synchronization, rhythm and taking care of friends.

How to play

1. Make a circle of eight holding hands: we're the cars on the Ferris wheel (1 min).
2. Every other child crouches down while the others stay standing (2 min).
3. The music plays and the wheel turns slowly with side steps (2 min).
4. When the teacher says "Switch!", the high cars go down and the low cars go up together, without letting go (3 min).
5. Night falls at the fair: the wheel lights up and we open and close our hands like lights (2 min).
6. The fair is over: the wheel slows down little by little and stops (2 min).

Rules

• I don't pull on my friends' hands.
• I go up and down at the same time as everyone.
• The wheel turns slowly.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: from the wheelchair the child is always a "high" car and turns with the circle at their pace; if moving isn't possible, they're the hub in the middle.
• Visual impairment: the child is between two friends who squeeze their hand before each switch.
• Less skilled children: they switch heights in two steps, stopping first, then going up or down.

Learning goals

• Coordinate movement with the group.
• Alternate high and low positions with control.
• Turn in a circle without pulling on friends.

Equipment for a class of 25

• music

Teacher tip

Use calm carnival-style music. Before turning, practice "Switch!" standing still several times; if they turn and switch together from the start, the circle falls apart.

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