Balancing Marathon
Skill: Balance, Hop
Time Required: 10
Activity Type: Physical, Transition
Group Size: Large Group, Medium Group, Small Group
Age Group: 6 - 9yrs, 9 - 12yrs
Play area: Classroom (small indoor space), Gymnasium (large indoor space), Outdoor - Field
Safety Considerations: Ensure participants are spaced out and they have room around them to move (bounce while trying to keep their balance).
Equipment: No equipment necessary.
Objective:
For participants to keep their balance the longest by following the balancing tasks.
Other Skills:
Stork Stand
Set up:
Have participants scattered in an area that is close enough to hear the leader clearly, but not too close to other participants.
Step by Step:
1. Participants are going to test their balancing skills, and see who can keep their balance the longest while doing different balancing tasks.
2. Leader will tell the participants when to do the next task.
3. Change tasks every 10-15 seconds.
4. When a participant loses their balance (puts their foot down), they are out for that round.
5. They could have to do a lap of an area, 10 jumping jacks, 5 lunges or 10 sit ups etc.
6. Hints for keeping their balance: Find a place ahead of them to focus on, keep arms out, steady your core; some of these will not be possible when the tasks get harder.
7. Example of order of balancing tasks:
a) Lift your left foot, so you are balancing on your right foot.
b) Place your left foot against your right leg near your knee (stork stand).
c) Bring your hands so they are clasped and in front of your chest.
d) Bring your left leg behind you and stretch it out (keeping hands clasped).
e) Go back to stork stand.
f) Stretch your arms above your head.
g) Bring left leg out of stork position and swing it back and forth.
h) Bring arms down and hop on right foot 5 times.
i) Back to stork position and close your eyes.
j) If participants haven't lost their balance yet (then kudos to them!), and start doing the same tasks or different ones, but going from one task to another quicker.
Variations:
Create different balancing tasks.
Make them more difficult for older participants.
For one task, throw a tennis ball to each participant and they have to catch it and throw it back.
Adaptations (General):
Many participants with a disability may lack comparable balance. Try to develop activities with this in mind, challenging all participants but being mindful of the fact that some movement patterns may simply not be possible.
Sources: Developed for the Leisure Information Network.