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Jump the Creek – Physical Fitness Activity
by Create a pretend creek for preschoolers to jump using their own ability level. Painter’s tape is all you need to create an indoor creek. Sidewalk chalk marks a creek outdoors. Preschoolers jump with short strides or long strides depending on where they cross the creek. Use this fitness activity alone or as part of an obstacle course for preschoolers.
What You Need
Indoors - Painter’s Masking Tape
Outdoors - Sidewalk Chalk
Jump the Creek Preparation
Indoors - Tape two lines on the floor in the shape of an arrow. Each line should be at least 4 feet in length.
Outdoors – Use sidewalk chalk to draw two lines on pavement. Draw the lines in an arrow shape at least 4 feet in length.
How to Play Jump the Creek
1. Explain Jump the Creek – Tell preschoolers that the tape is a creek that they can jump over.
2. Preschoolers Jump a Chosen Distance – Tell preschoolers that they get to decide how far they can jump. Preschoolers can start by jumping over the most narrow part of the creek. As preschoolers gain confidence and jumping skills, they can jump over the creek where the creek is wider.
3. Let Preschoolers Explore at Their Own Pace - Jump the Creek is a self-directed activity for preschoolers. Set up Jump the Creek and allow preschoolers to explore jumping at their own pace.
More Ideas Using Jump the Creek
Use in an Obstacle Course - Jump the Creek can be included as part of an obstacle course for preschoolers.
Let Preschoolers Mark Their Jumps - Indoors, give preschoolers small strips of tape. Outdoors, give preschoolers sidewalk chalk. Let preschoolers chart their progress by marking where they have jumped and where they want to jump.
Walk the Creek Banks - Starting at the narrow end, let preschoolers place one foot on one side of the creek and the other foot on the other side of the creek. Preschoolers walk on the banks moving their legs wider apart until they can't walk any farther without falling in the creek.
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