I’ve written about hopscotch over the past few years (try here and here) as there are often very good examples of complicated and unusual formats on the sidewalks near my house.  I like the idea of creating a hopscotch game in the classroom using tape for the outline and bean bags for the toss.  I once used masking tape but it was a nightmare to get off, so try using painter’s tape, as it is designed for easy removal.

Start simple.  Use the tape to create 5 spaces and once the children become comfortable with this, you can add more.

At first, encourage the children to jump with both feet in each space as they might be working on this skill before they are ready to hop on one foot and skip spaces.  They can play cooperatively before they play competitively, simply taking turns tossing their bean bags and jumping or hopping through the course.  There is plenty of time for complicated and cut-throat games of hopscotch later.  For now, use this indoor version as gross motor opportunity that encourages number recognition, turn-taking, following directions, spatial relations, body awareness, and gross motor skill-building.

People to People is a gross motor game that is fun and engaging and children love it.  It is noncompetitive and is played for as long a time or as short a time as interest dictates.  It requires no materials, just a leader and (ideally) a large space.

Gather the children together and explain the rules.  The rules are simple:

1.  There is a leader.

2.  Everyone else is a player or an observer (children can choose to opt out and watch).

3.  Players have to find partners while they play.

4.  Players should find a new partner every time the leader calls out, “People to people.” Players should never pick the same partner again.

The leader calls out two body parts and the children find a partner and connect the body parts.  For example, the leader says, “Elbow to elbow,” and the children find a partner and put their elbows together.  The leader then calls out another set of body parts, i.e., head to head, or foot to foot.  This continues until the leader calls out, “People to people,” and the children have to find a new partner and it begins again.  With very young children keeping it simple is best.  Choose body parts that they know and are easy for them to identify on themselves and on others.  As the children get older, you can mix it up and get tricky, with body parts like, hips, calves, shins, and pinkies.  You can also make it even trickier by having the children connect two parts that are not the same, i.e., finger to foot, or head to belly.  The children not only have to identify each body part but they also have to negotiate who is the head and who is the belly.  This requires a lot of social navigation.

People to People supports matching skills and asks that the children sort and resort themselves out while finding partners.  They have to find new partners and use the concept of “elimination” so they don’t choose the same partner more than once.  Not only are they practicing following directions, this game focuses on prosocial behaviors that encourage turn-taking, compromise, and social generosity.

Give it a try and let us know how it goes.