Animal Limbo - Preschool Flexibility Game

by Kelly Pfeiffer

Many preschoolers aren't sure how to limbo in the traditional "limbo way". Introduce preschoolers to limbo with an age appropriate flexibility game - Animal Limbo. Along with encouraging kids to "walk like animals", Animal Limbo has few rules and no player is ever out. This relaxed version of limbo allows preschoolers to explore the basic idea of limbo, get comfortable going under the limbo bar in different ways and increase flexibility.

Animal Limbo - A Step Towards Traditional Limbo

Preschoolers are more likely to take risks and try a traditional limbo movement after they get comfortable with the idea of taking turns and moving under the limbo stick. When preschoolers seem comfortable with going under the limbo stick, teach the "crab walk" to preschoolers as a progressive step towards the traditional way of moving under the limbo stick. For a preschool party activity or rainy day activity, Animal Limbo is a fun and low stress game that promotes flexibility.

Set up for Animal Limbo

1. Find a light weight pole at least 4 feet long or longer. There are "limbo sticks" available from manufacturers but a simple broom stick or mop handle will do. A foam pool noodle works nicely too.
2. Place two chairs approximately  3.5 feet apart (or wider depending on the length of your limbo pole/stick.)
3. Lay the limbo stick over the two chairs. Use books or pillows to stack on the chairs to change the height of the limbo stick.

How to Play Animal Limbo

1. Choose a caller. The Animal Limbo Caller calls out the name of an animal.
2. All players one at a time, take turns going under the limbo stick while walking like the animal.
3. Preschoolers may move any way they choose to go under the limbo stick. Animal Limbo isn't about moving in the right way. It's about exploring movement in a fun and creative way.

Preschoolers can use their imagination to walk like animals. If they seem "stuck", suggest these animal ways to walk.

Pony - Preschoolers gallop and duck under the limbo stick (galloping means that preschoolers place one leg in front of the other and travel with the same leg staying in front -- like many preschoolers would travel if they were riding a toy stick pony.)

Bear - Preschoolers walk on hands and feet.

Duck - Preschoolers squat and waddle.

Seal - Preschoolers lie on their tummies and use only their arms to pull themselves on the floor.

Monkey - There are several ways to walk like a monkey and preschoolers will try them all. One way is for preschoolers to turn their knees out and scratch their sides while they walk. Another way is for preschoolers to place both of their hands of the floor and then swing both of the feet through the space between their arms.

Crab - With their tummy facing up, preschoolers move on hands and feet.

Teach the Crab Walk to Preschoolers

1. Preschoolers prepare for the crab walk by sitting on the floor on their bottoms.
2. Preschoolers put their hands on the floor beside their hips and lift their bottoms off of the floor.
3. With tummy facing the ceiling, preschoolers move their hands and feet on the floor to travel and walk like a crab. Preschoolers must keep pushing their bottom up and keep their tummy high to walk like a crab.
4. Preschoolers can crab walk under the limbo stick either feet first or head first.

Animal Limbo Themes for Holidays and Preschool Parties

CHRISTMAS LIMBO: Gallop like reindeer, walk like a camel and move other animals in the nativity scene.

WINTER ANIMAL LIMBO:  Walk like a penguin, a seal, a polar bear, and a moose.

BARNYARD LIMBO: Ducks, pigs, roosters, horses and other farm animals waddle, prance and walk in different ways.

SEASIDE LIMBO: Crabs, stingrays, sharks and sea turtles have their own unique ways to travel.

More Limbo on PreschoolRock.com

---

Like this article? Get more like it in your inbox. Subscribe today to our free weekly newsletter.