Walking on Clouds

Kids walk a path of soft, wobbly surfaces: folded mats, a crash mat, and ropes on the floor, as if walking on clouds. They work on balance on surfaces that sink underfoot and confidence moving around.

How to play

1. Set up a path in a circle: regular mats, two folded mats in the middle, one crash mat, and stretches of rope on the floor between them. Walk it first yourself: "This cloud is squishy."
2. Everyone on the path at once, spaced out, in a circle line: they walk slowly across the clouds without passing. 3 minutes.
3. Ways to walk: "walk like astronauts" (slow, high steps), "on tiptoes so the cloud doesn't wake up," "on all fours" on the crash mat. 4 minutes.
4. Cloud statues: on a tambourine hit or clap, each child stops where they are and holds still on two feet; then on one foot if they're on firm ground. 3 minutes.
5. Reverse: double clap, and everyone turns around and walks the circle the other way. 1 minute.
6. They lie down on the nearest cloud to rest and breathe as if they were floating. 1 minute.

Rules

• Walk the path in the same direction, no passing.
• No jumping on the crash mat.
• Leave space behind the child in front.
• If I fall, I land soft and get back up.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: crawl or scoot along the path with an adult beside them.
• Low vision: hold a buddy's hand and call out each change of surface.
• More skilled kids carry a beanbag on their head; kids who need support use only the steadiest sections.

Learning goals

• Keep balance on soft, unstable surfaces.
• Adjust walking to different surfaces.
• Move with confidence on a new course.

Equipment for a class of 25

• mats: 8
• crash mat: 1
• ropes: 4

Teacher tip

Make sure the mats don't slide apart when stepped on; push them against a wall if needed. No crash mat? Use several folded mats.

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