The Leg Tunnel That Travels to the Sea

In lines of five with legs apart, children make a tunnel for a ball to roll through; the last one picks it up, runs to the front and opens their legs, so the tunnel travels until it reaches the sea. It works on coordination and the feeling of getting there together.

How to play

1. We form lines of five with legs apart to make a tunnel; the first child rolls the ball backward underneath (2 min).
2. The last child picks up the ball, runs to the front, opens their legs and rolls it back again (2 min).
3. That's how the tunnel travels across the playground to the sea, a cone at the end (3 min).
4. Now the ball travels on top, hand to hand over our heads (2 min).
5. All the lines join into one giant whole-class tunnel that travels to the sea (3 min).

Rules

• We roll the ball gently, no kicking.
• If the ball gets away, whoever is closest brings it back.
• I open my legs wide to make a big tunnel.
• We wait for our friend to get to the front.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: they're the sea at the finish or the front of the line who sends the ball into the tunnel.
• Autism: keep them in the same spot in the line and let them know when it's their turn to run to the front.
• Visual impairment: use a ball with a bell and have the child in front say “Coming!”

Learning goals

• Coordinate whole-body movements.
• Move as a group toward a shared goal.
• Respect the order of the line.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Balls: 5
• Cones: 5

Teacher tip

Mark the path with cones so the tunnels don't cross. The usual mistake is rolling too hard: teach them to look between their legs and push the ball gently.

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