The Tickly Curtain Tunnel

Children crawl and slither through a tunnel made of tables with strips of fabric, tissue paper, thick yarn and plastic hanging down, brushing their backs, heads and arms as they pass. It builds whole-body tactile awareness, crawling and orientation in an enclosed space.

How to play

1. Look at the tunnel from outside and touch each type of curtain with your hand (2 min).
2. The teacher or a brave child goes first; the others watch from the sides as the curtains tickle them (1 min).
3. Go through one at a time on hands and knees, leaving two body lengths between kids (4 min).
4. Try other ways: belly crawling, on your back pushing with your feet, crawling backward (4 min).
5. On the way out, each child says which curtain tickled most (2 min).
6. Take the tunnel down together and put the strips away (2 min).

Rules

• Wait until the child ahead leaves a table before going in.
• Don't pull on the curtains.
• If someone stops inside, wait without pushing.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the child stays beside the tunnel and the curtains brush their arms and face if they like; or they cross on a sliding mat with help.
• Autism or fear of tight spaces: curtains on only one side and an exit close by; they can watch several times before trying.
• Visual impairment: the tunnel is a good guided space; tape a line on the floor to follow.

Learning goals

• Feel different touches across the whole body.
• Crawl and slither with control.
• Find your way through a narrow enclosed space.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Tables or benches: 4
• Fabric and paper strips: 40
• Masking tape: 1
• Mats: 3

Teacher tip

Attach strips with masking tape so they come loose if pulled, and put mats underneath on hard floors. No thin cords that could tangle around a neck.

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