The Wobbly River Stones

Children cross a blue fabric river by stepping on stones that sink and shift: cushions of different sizes and firmness set on floor mats. It builds balance on soft, unstable surfaces that make the body adjust with every step.

How to play

1. Spread the blue fabric over the mats and set the cushions on top, close together: "The river stones are squishy and they wobble!" (2 min).
2. First, stand still on each stone and feel it sink: "Is this one a cloud or a rock?" (2 min).
3. Cross the river one at a time, stone to stone, without stepping in the water, with the teacher alongside offering a hand (4 min).
4. Spread a few stones apart so some steps have to be longer (3 min).
5. Cross carrying a fabric fish to drop in the basket on the far bank (2 min).
6. Put the stones away together and sit on the bank to count how many fish made it across (1 min).

Rules

• I cross the river one at a time.
• I wait until my friend reaches the bank before I go.
• If I step in the water, that's okay: I climb onto another stone.
• I walk, I don't jump, between stones.

Variations

Adaptations

• Students with limited mobility cross on hands and knees or scoot from cushion to cushion with adult support.
• Blind or low-vision students: use cushions with very different textures, and the adult describes each step ("Now a big one on your right").
• Students with autism: let them explore the stones alone first and tell them ahead of time when it's their turn.

Learning goals

• Keep their balance while walking on soft, unstable surfaces.
• Adjust step length to the distance between stones.
• Build confidence moving over new surfaces with adult support.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Cushions: 12
• Floor mats: 3
• Blue fabric: 1

Teacher tip

Always put mats under the cushions so they don't slide on the floor. The usual mistake is running across: keep repeating "step, step, step" and stand by the section with the biggest gaps.

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