Tumbling Stations: Roll, Spin, and Balance
A five-station tumbling course where students explore different ways to roll, spin, balance, jump, and support weight on their hands. It builds body control, spatial awareness, and independence in station work.
How to play
- Set up 5 stations, each with a picture card on a cone: 1, log rolls and egg rolls; 2, spins on the floor (seated, on one foot, on knees); 3, three-point and two-point balances; 4, hop from hoop to hoop and freeze like a statue; 5, animal walks over and under a gym bench.
- Form 5 groups of 5. Each group starts at a station and has 4 minutes to try every move on the card.
- At each station, once the group has done every move, each student makes up a new one and shows the group, who copies it.
- On the whistle, rotate clockwise to the next station. Leave each station the way you found it.
- After all five stations (20 min), each group picks its favorite move from each station and shows a 1-minute mini routine to the class.
- The other groups clap and name which station each move came from.
Rules
- One student per mat at the rolling and spinning stations.
- At the jumping station, land with bent knees and don't push the person ahead.
- Don't run across the top of the bench: go over it on hands and feet.
- Wait until your classmate finishes before you start.
Variations
Easier
Keep only two moves per station with more time at each one.
Standard
Try every move on the card and invent a new one.
Harder
Link two moves from different stations without stopping, such as a roll into a balance.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: assisted rolling, spins in the wheelchair, and seated core balances on the mat.
- Autism: preview each station with its picture card and keep the same order every class.
- Lower fitness: do just one move per station and rest while watching classmates.
Learning goals
- Explore different ways to roll, spin, and balance.
- Work independently at stations by following a card.
- Create a new move and share it with the group.
Equipment for a class of 25
- mats: 8
- hoops: 8
- gym bench: 1
- cones: 5
Teacher tip
This makes a great pre-assessment at the start of a gymnastics unit: walk the stations and note who struggles with rolling or holding balances.
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