The Sitting Centipede
Sitting in a line, each child holds the shoulders of the child in front, and the centipede scoots forward on its bottoms all together. Children practice scooting while seated and working as a team.
How to play
- We talk about centipedes having lots of legs that all need to move together (1 min).
- Groups of four: sitting in a line, hands on the shoulders of the child in front (2 min).
- The centipede's head says "Legs!" and everyone scoots forward together (3 min).
- The centipede travels from one rope to the other without letting go, turning when the head asks (3 min).
- We switch heads so everyone gets to lead once (2 min).
- We join all the centipedes into one super-long one and stay still (1 min).
Rules
- I hold the shoulders in front of me gently.
- We all move together.
- If someone lets go, the centipede stops and waits.
- The head goes slowly so everyone can follow.
Variations
Easier
Age 3: pairs instead of groups of four, scooting their own way.
Standard
Age 4: groups of four moving together.
Harder
Age 5: groups of six, and the centipede also scoots backward.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the child in a wheelchair is the centipede's head; the others follow seated behind.
- Autism: the child may be at the end of the centipede, where no one holds on to them.
- Deaf or hard of hearing: the head raises an arm to signal moving forward.
Learning goals
- Scoot while seated in sync with a group.
- Match their pace to others.
- Value everyone's effort in a team game.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Ropes: 2
Teacher tip
Start with small groups: big ones fall apart fast. Remind kids nobody pulls shoulders; hands just rest there.
PatioLab has "The Sitting Centipede" and 8714 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
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