Two-Seat Taxi: Switch Partners, Switch Moves

A warm-up game where students jog freely and, on 'taxi,' pair up and do a move together. It raises the heart rate and mixes the whole class.

How to play

1. Free jog around the area. On 'taxi,' everyone joins the nearest person, shoulder to shoulder (2 min).
2. Partner travel calls: 'slow taxi' is a long-stride jog together, 'fast taxi' is synchronized high knees, 'side taxi' is face-to-face side shuffles (3 min).
3. On-the-spot calls: back-to-back squats, double high-fives with a small hop, single-leg balance holding hands (3 min).
4. Final round: no repeat partners; each new pair picks its own move for the last 'taxi' (2 min).

Rules

• Pair up with whoever is closest, without choosing or turning anyone down.
• If someone is left over, make a three-seat taxi.
• Control your speed while finding a partner: look before changing direction.

Variations

Adaptations

• Deaf or hard-of-hearing students: the teacher shows a sign or the taxi gesture (arm up) while calling it.
• Wheelchair users: the partner matches travel to their side; on-the-spot moves use trunk and arm versions.
• Students uncomfortable with contact: they may do the moves half a meter apart, without touching.

Learning goals

• Raise the heart rate gradually.
• Coordinate movement with different partners.
• Build connections across the whole class.

Teacher tip

Encourage mixed pairs without forcing it, and watch that nobody is always last to be paired. With an odd number, join in as a partner in the first round.

More activities like this

More warm-ups for Middle School