The Roller Coaster Line

In lines of six with hands on shoulders, children are the cars of a roller coaster that climbs on tiptoe, drops into a crouch, leans into the curves and screams with excitement. It builds balance on the move, group coordination and expressing feelings.

How to play

1. Make roller coaster trains of six with hands on the shoulders of the child in front (1 min).
2. The climb: walk on tiptoes, very slowly, saying "clack, clack, clack" (2 min).
3. The drop: lower the body and walk a little faster, shouting "aaah!" (2 min).
4. The curves: everyone leans to one side and then the other without letting go (2 min).
5. The front car makes up the route mixing climbs, drops and curves, then moves to the back (4 min).
6. The roller coaster pulls into the station and we share how it felt (1 min).

Rules

• I don't let go of the shoulders in front of me.
• On the drop I crouch, I don't run.
• The front car goes slowly so nobody falls.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the child is the front car in their wheelchair; on climbs and drops they raise and lower their arms.
• Visual impairment: the child goes in the middle of the line, feeling the moves through the shoulders in front.
• Autism: warn that there's shouting on the drop; the child can cover their ears or do a silent scream with an open mouth.

Learning goals

• Keep balance walking on tiptoe, crouched and leaning.
• Coordinate movement with the group.
• Express and name feelings like fear and joy.

Teacher tip

The screaming gets kids very excited: you mark when the drop starts and ends. With long lines the kids in back trip, so keep lines short and have the front child glance back now and then.

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