Wake Up the Catapult Arm

Each child has a beanbag and slowly wakes up the joints used for throwing (wrist, elbow, and shoulder) by passing the beanbag from hand to hand and pretending to be catapults. It's a gentle body warm-up before aiming games.

How to play

1. Sitting in a circle, we pass the beanbag from one hand to the other, in front and behind our backs (1 min).
2. Wake up the wrist: hold the beanbag and draw tiny circles in the air (1 min).
3. Wake up the elbow: lift the beanbag to the shoulder and lower it, like an elevator (1 min).
4. Wake up the shoulder: standing, make big arm circles holding the beanbag (1 min).
5. We're catapults: arm back, count to three, and let the beanbag fly forward very softly, then go get it (1 min).

Rules

• No throwing until we're catapults.
• I move slowly, like I'm still half asleep.
• I throw softly and forward, where nobody is.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: everything is done seated, and the catapult throws into a nearby bucket.
• Less dexterity: use a bigger beanbag or a stuffed sock that is easier to grip.
• Autism: always use the same phrase for each part ("Wrist, wake up") and show a picture card.

Learning goals

• Loosen the wrist, elbow, and shoulder.
• Pass an object from one hand to the other.
• Control force in a soft throw.

Equipment for a class of 25

• beanbags: 25

Teacher tip

Hand out the beanbags in the circle so no time is lost. Speak softly at first, as if the arm were asleep, and get louder when the catapult comes; kids love the contrast.

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