Beanbag Balance
Balance a beanbag on your head, hand, foot or elbow and move around the room without dropping it. Teachers can run this in a corridor.
Overview
You need
BeanbagsOptional: Cones or markersOptional: Music player
Skills developed
- Stability: controlled, upright posture
- Body awareness: moving one part while keeping another still
- Concentration: slow, focused movement
NEL Framework: Motor Skills Development.
Set up
1Step 1
Children find a space, each with one beanbag.
2Step 2
Coach shows the first balance: beanbag on the head, hands down.
ChildTagger / team BCoachHoopSpotConeBallBeanbagRope or lineMarked areaWhere they move
How to play
- Beanbag on the head. Walk anywhere. Drop it? Freeze, pick it up, carry on.
- Call new body parts: back of the hand, shoulder, elbow, top of the foot, knee (standing on one leg).
- Add a movement: walk, tiptoe, giant steps, sit down and stand up.
Tips for explaining
"Tall like a giraffe." Chin level, back straight.
"Slow is strong." Praise the slowest, steadiest mover.
Make it easier / harder
EasierHead and hand only. Standing still first, then walking.
HarderTwo beanbags (head and hand). Walk over a rope or between cones.
Safety
Walking with a beanbag on the head, children cannot look down: keep the floor completely clear.
More balance games
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Rather we ran it for you?
This is one of the games our coaches run in pre-schools every week, with our own equipment. Weekly enrichment, sports days, or a whole holiday programme for your centre, planned in one message.