Sleeping Lions
Everyone lies still as a sleeping lion. The hunter walks around trying to make them move, without touching. The classic end to a session.
Overview
You need
No equipment neededOptional: Music player
Skills developed
- Self-regulation: calming after activity
- Body control: stillness
- Breathing: slowing down
NEL Framework: Motor Skills Development.
Set up
1Step 1
Children lie on their backs or fronts, spread out, eyes closed.
2Step 2
Coach is the hunter and walks quietly among them.
ChildTagger / team BCoachHoopSpotConeBallBeanbagRope or lineMarked areaWhere they move
How to play
- Lions sleep. The hunter walks round, whispering, telling jokes, but never touching.
- Any lion who moves or giggles wakes up and becomes a hunter too.
- The last sleeping lion is the winner. Keep it to three or four minutes.
Tips for explaining
"Breathe slowly through your nose." Big slow breaths make lions sleepier.
"Melt into the floor." Heavy arms, heavy legs.
Make it easier / harder
EasierCoach is the only hunter. Short rounds.
HarderLions must stay asleep with eyes open.
Safety
Hunters never touch or stand over a lion's face.
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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.