The Night Guard at the Museum

Museum statues sneak around at night and freeze when the night guard's flashlight shines on them. It builds holding a still pose and controlling the urge to move at exactly the right moment.

How to play

1. Tell the story: at night the museum statues sneak around, but when the guard's flashlight shines on them, they freeze (1 min).
2. Each child picks a statue pose (standing, on one leg, like a lion…) and practices it (2 min).
3. The teacher-guard walks slowly with the flashlight; statues in the dark move behind the guard's back and freeze when the light hits them (3 min).
4. If the light catches someone moving, the guard says "Hmm, I thought I saw something!" and keeps patrolling: nobody is out (2 min).
5. Several children take turns as the guard with the flashlight (3 min).
6. Morning comes: turn on the lights and all the statues sit down to rest (1 min).

Rules

• The light goes on feet or tummies, never in eyes.
• When the light touches you, you're made of stone.
• Statues move without making noise.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the statue freezes with the arms in a pose and the guard shines on them too.
• Visual impairment: the guard says "light!" when shining on a group and comes close to anyone who needs it.
• Autism: if the dim room is unsettling, the child can be the guard's helper, holding their arm on patrol.

Learning goals

• Hold a still pose for a few seconds.
• Stop moving at the light signal.
• Enjoy a pretend-play game with no one out.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Flashlight: 1

Teacher tip

Test the flashlight beforehand and lower the blinds without making the room fully dark. Little guards tend to aim at faces, so teach them to light up feet.

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