Tubes Rolling Down the Lane
On hands and knees, each child pushes a paper towel tube with one hand so it rolls down a lane taped on the floor. It builds steering an object with the hand while tracking it with the eyes.
How to play
- The teacher shows the tape lanes on the floor and how a tube lying down rolls when pushed with the palm (1 min).
- On hands and knees, push the tube slowly to the end of the lane and back (1 min).
- Now push with just one hand, and on the way back with the other (1 min).
- Give the tube a push and crawl after it to catch it before it leaves the lane (1 min).
- Sit down and roll the tube up and down your legs like a rolling pin (1 min).
Rules
- The tube lies down and rolls, no throwing.
- Everyone stays in their own lane.
- If it gets away, I crawl to get it.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, use wide straight lanes and push with both hands.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, use narrower lanes and switch hands.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, add a curve to the lane and push with a single finger.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: tape the lane on a table so the child can push the tube while seated.
- Visual impairment: mark the lane with thick raised tape or two ropes along the sides as a tactile guide.
- Autism: give the child their own lane in a fixed color and a picture showing the trip there and back.
Learning goals
- Warm up arms and shoulders by crawling.
- Steer a rolling object with the hand.
- Follow the tube's path with the eyes.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Paper towel tubes: 25
- Colored tape: 1
Teacher tip
Tape the lanes before children come in, at least three feet apart. Paper towel tubes work better than toilet paper rolls: they're longer and roll straighter.
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