Balance Challenge

Skill: Balance
Time Required: 5
Activity Type: Physical, Transition
Group Size: Large Group, Medium Group, Small Group
Age Group: 6 - 9yrs, 9 - 12yrs, 13+ yrs
Play area: Classroom (small indoor space), Gymnasium (large indoor space), Outdoor - Field
Safety Considerations: Ensure participants are able to do the balances safely.
Equipment: No equipment necessary
Objective:
Participants follow the balance instructions and do the proper balance.
Other Skills:
Coordination
Set up:
Have participants spread out in an area, or have them stand in a line.
Step by Step:
1. The goal for the participants is to do the correct balance.
2. The leader will tell participants to balance in different ways.
3. After the participants have practiced the different balancing, then the activity can become an elimination activity.
4. The last participant to do the correct balance is out (or first person to lose their balance).
5. Different balances:
- Left foot
- Right foot
- Right foot and left hand
- Left foot and right hand
- Right/Left foot and 2/3 fingers
- Both hands and both feet (bridge)
- Right/left foot and left/right elbow
- No hands or feet (on their bottom)
- Left tip-toes
- Right tip-toes
- Right knee and left hand
- Left knee and right hand
- Right foot and right hand
- Left foot and left hand
- And so on
Variations:
Make it a group balance challenge. Participants will get into groups of 4-5 participants. The leader will tell them how many feet and hands have to be on the ground, and participants have to work together and strategize on how to accomplish that task.
Have a name for each balance. Examples: left/right foot = left/right flamingo, right foot and left hand = right diagonal bridge, left tip-toes = left ballerina and so on.
Sources: Developed for the Leisure Information Network.