Animal movement games for kids

Safety first

Play on a soft, clear floor, a rug or short, dry grass, with toys, cables and sharp things moved away. Never jump from furniture or steps, and keep away from stairs, roads and water. Keep turns short and rest after each animal. Stop if anyone feels tired, dizzy or sore, or if anything hurts, and sit down with some water. For balance, hold on to a wall or a sturdy chair. Everyone is welcome: use the seated version or make up your own, and nobody is ever ranked or timed. A grown-up should stay close by.

Set up your zoo parade

Pick a start spot, the zoo gate, and a rest spot, the animal house. Choose a zoo keeper, who can be a child or a grown-up and calls out the next animal. Each animal gets one short turn, about as long as it takes to count to ten, then everyone goes to the animal house to rest. Animals can also watch from the animal house, and that is part of the parade.

1. Bear walk

Age hint: 4 and up.

You need: a soft, clear floor or grass.

1. Start on hands and knees, with your hands flat and your head up.
2. If you like, lift your knees a little and walk slowly on hands and feet, like a big, sleepy bear. Knees down is just as good.
3. Take four or five slow steps, swinging your head as if sniffing for honey, then sit back and rest. Stop if your wrists or shoulders feel uncomfortable.

Seated version: sit tall and sway slowly from side to side, with heavy, slow arms and a big bear yawn.

Notice: Which was slower, a bear step or a bear sway?

2. Crab walk

Age hint: 5 and up.

You need: a soft floor and a wall nearby to rest against.

1. Sit on the floor with your knees bent and your hands behind you, fingers pointing toward your feet.
2. If it feels fine, lift your bottom a little and take two or three small steps sideways. Stay low, or simply stay seated and scuttle your hands.
3. Snap your pretend claws open and shut, then sit and rest. Stop if your wrists or shoulders feel uncomfortable.

Seated version: sit in a chair and scuttle your fingers along your knees, with claws that open and shut.

Notice: Which way did your crab like to go?

3. Frog hops

Age hint: 4 and up.

You need: a soft, clear floor and a few paper lily pads, if you like.

1. Squat down low with your hands on the floor, or stay standing and bend your knees a little.
2. Make tiny, quiet hops to the next lily pad, landing softly. No big jumps, and never from furniture or steps.
3. Stop after three hops, sit down and croak, and rest as long as you like.

Seated version: bounce gently on your seat, or tap your hands on your knees like hopping frog feet, and croak.

Notice: How softly could your frog land?

4. Snake slither

Age hint: 3 and up.

You need: a clear, soft floor.

1. Lie on your tummy or side, or sit up and pretend your arm is the snake.
2. Make your body, or your arm, wiggle slowly in a long, curvy line, like a snake in warm grass.
3. Go as slowly as you can, hiss very softly, then pause and rest in a coil.

Seated version: wave one arm in front of you, curvy as a river, and let your wrist and fingers be the snake's head.

Notice: What shape was your snake's path?

5. Flamingo balance

Age hint: 5 and up.

You need: a wall, a sturdy chair back or a grown-up's hand to hold on to.

1. Stand next to the wall and rest one hand on it. Hold on the whole time if you want to.
2. Slowly lift one foot a little off the floor, like a flamingo resting in a pond. A toe tap on the floor is also fine.
3. Count to three, then put your foot down. Wobbling is normal, and so is stopping early. There is no winner.

Seated version: sit on a chair and lift one heel a little, or raise one arm like a long, graceful neck.

Notice: How did your flamingo look when it wobbled?

6. Cat stretch

Age hint: 3 and up.

You need: a soft mat, rug or grass.

1. Come onto hands and knees, or sit comfortably.
2. Slowly reach one arm forward like a cat waking from a nap, then gently round your back and relax it again. Move only as far as feels comfortable.
3. Finish with a big silent yawn and curl up for a rest.

Seated version: sit and stretch both arms up, then round your shoulders gently, and finish with a big cat yawn.

Notice: Where did your cat like to stretch the most?

Cool-down: closing time at the zoo

When the parade ends, the animals get sleepy. Walk slowly, like a tired bear, back to the animal house. Sit or lie down and curl up like a cat. Take three slow breaths together, say goodnight to each animal, and have a drink of water.

More to do on Rangooo

Find more indoor games or head out for outdoor games, wind down with calm down activities, spot real animals with bird and bug watching for kids, browse more stories and activities, or see resources for teachers.

Questions

What age are these animal movement games for?

Most suit ages three to eight with a grown-up nearby. Snake slither and cat stretch suit the youngest, while flamingo balance and crab walk suit slightly older ones. Every animal has a seated version.

Can a child join in from a chair or a wheelchair?

Yes. Each animal has a seated version using arms, hands, shoulders, face and voice. A child can also be the zoo keeper and call out the next animal.

Do we need a lot of space?

No. A clear patch of soft floor about the size of a rug is enough for one or two children. On grass, check the ground first and keep away from roads, water and steps.

What if a child feels tired or dizzy?

Stop the game straight away and sit down with some water. Rests are part of the parade, so take them often. If anything hurts or feels wrong, do not carry on. If you are unsure, ask a doctor.