The Snail's Spiral
Children are snails slowly winding into a big spiral drawn on the ground until they reach the center, their shell house, and then come back out faster. It works on following a closed curved path and controlling speed.
How to play
- The teacher draws a big spiral with chalk or rope and explains it's the snail's shell (2 min).
- In a line, with the teacher as the first snail, we wind in very slowly following the line to the center (3 min).
- In the center we curl up into a ball like a snail inside its shell (1 min).
- We wind back out a little faster, without taking shortcuts, following the line (3 min).
- We do it again going in backward or sideways, always on the line (3 min).
Rules
- Snails go in a line, one behind the other.
- No shortcuts: follow the line.
- Going in, slow; coming out, faster.
- If the snail ahead stops, I stop.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, the spiral has only a few loops and they hold hands like a train with the teacher.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, they go in and out on their own, following the line.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, the spiral is tighter and they also walk it backward or sideways.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: make a spiral with wide curves, or draw a wider parallel path for the wheelchair.
- Visual impairment: make the spiral with rope so they can follow it with their foot, holding a classmate's hand.
- Autism: they can go first in line right behind the teacher, with nobody ahead to wait for.
Learning goals
- Follow a spiral path.
- Control their speed going in and coming out.
- Find their way toward the center and back out.
Equipment for a class of 25
- long rope: 1
- sidewalk chalk: 2
Teacher tip
With a big group, draw two spirals. The risk is a pileup in the center, so have them wait at the entrance until the snail ahead is halfway around.
PatioLab has "The Snail's Spiral" and 8714 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
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