The Two-Strap Backpack Trail

With a light backpack holding a stuffed animal, children walk a hiking trail and compare carrying it on one shoulder, which makes them lean, with wearing both straps, which lets them walk tall. It works on balance, posture and the habit of wearing a backpack properly.

How to play

1. Each child puts a stuffed animal in their backpack and the teacher shows the hiking trail marked with cones (2 min).
2. First lap with the backpack on one shoulder: notice how we lean like a tree in the wind (2 min).
3. Second lap with both straps on and the backpack snug against the back: we walk tall and notice it’s more comfortable (2 min).
4. The trail gets trickier: step over a rope on the ground, tiptoe, duck under a bridge of arms and zigzag between cones (4 min).
5. Reach the cabin: take off the backpack by bending the knees, take out the stuffed animal and tell it how the hike went (2 min).

Rules

• The backpack goes on with both straps.
• To pick the backpack up off the floor, bend your knees.
• No pushing to get ahead on the trail.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: hang the backpack on the back of the wheelchair or carry it on the lap, with a wide, flat trail.
• Autism: a drawing of the trail with obstacles in order, and the same stuffed animal every time.
• Visual impairment: lay a guide rope along the trail and have a classmate call out each obstacle.

Learning goals

• Wear a backpack correctly with both straps.
• Keep an upright posture while walking with a light load.
• Bend the knees to pick up weight.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Backpacks: 25
• Stuffed animals: 25
• Cones: 10

Teacher tip

The backpack should be very light: a stuffed animal or a cushion, nothing more. Use the daily trip outside to remind them “two straps” when they put on their own backpacks.

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