Let's get active and try Bean Bag Balance!
This balance activity is suitable for children in Early learning and childcare (ELC) or Primary 1 (Early level Curriculum for Excellence).
Watch this
Learn how to take part in the Bean Bag Balance activity with help from primary school teacher, Danny Denholm.
DANNY: Hey, I'm Danny. And welcome to let's do this. Where we will get active together.
This activity is called Bean Bag Balance. As the name suggests, this game is great for developing your balance and control.
You will need a bean bag and some cones.
You can do this on your own. So I'm going to show you how to do this but I've got Hannah here who will help join in with me.
HANNAH: Hello!
DANNY: Step one, place the bean bag on top of your head.
Step two, try to sit on the ground without dropping the bean bag.
Step three, once you have made it to the ground, try standing back up while keeping your bean bag balanced.
Let's do this.
Well done, Hannah.
Nicely done, Hannah.
NARRATOR: Too tough?
DANNY: If this is too tricky, you can use your hands to help to build your confidence.
NARRATOR: Go up a notch?
DANNY: Want to develop your skills?
Weave around several cones before sitting and standing, making sure that bean bag stays on your head.
You could even experiment using different parts of the body to balance the bean bag on.
How about performing a fitness exercise every time the beanbag falls off? For example, five star jumps before you place the bean bag back into the balance position.
NARRATOR: Danny's challenge.
DANNY: For my challenge, you can set yourself a target on how many times you can sit down and stand up without dropping the bean bag.
As well as developing your balance, this will require you to show focus and concentration.
NARRATOR: Final thoughts.
DANNY: Well that wasn't easy. Don't worry if the bean bag falls off. Keep persevering and have fun.
NARRATOR: Let's do this!
What we will learn:
This activity can help young children develop their balance.
It is a great activity to help children move in a more controlled way in daily life and sport.
What you need:
| Equipment | Alternatives |
|---|---|
| Bean bag | Balled-up socks |
| Optional: Cones | Optional: Any objects that can be used to create an obstacle course, like pieces of paper or small soft toys |
Try it yourself
Follow these step-by-step instructions and give it a go!
Image caption, Get into position
Place the bean bag on top of your head.
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Playing with a friend
With a partner, take turns sitting down and standing up without dropping the bean bag.
While your partner is taking their turn, try completing your own fitness challenge. For example, try jumping jacks, toe taps or lunges.
Make it easier or harder
We are all unique and have different strengths and skills. Some of us may find some skills easier than others but we can all develop and improve.
You can adapt Bean Bag Balance to make it easier or harder. The most important things are giving it a go and having fun!
Make it easier
Try these tips to make the activity a bit easier.
- Use your hands to help keep the bean bag balanced.
- Sit down and stand up without the bean bag to get used to the movement.
Make it harder
Try these tips to make this activity more challenging.
- Weave through some cones, or other markers, before sitting and standing.
- Use different parts of your body to balance the bean bag. For example, your foot or arm.
- Perform a fitness exercise any time the bean bag falls off. For example, complete five star jumps before placing the bean bag back into the balance position.
Danny's challenge
Bring in some goal setting!
Set yourself a target of how many times you can sit down and stand back up without dropping the bean bag.
For example, can you sit down and stand up ten times without dropping the bean bag?
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