Wicked Witch (Locomotor)

Wicked Witch (Run, Jump, Hop, Skip)

Modification of Simon Says with you casting spells as a witch. When the witch drops the wand, children must run to the safe zone (castle) to avoid being caught.

Set up

Start in a designated area with children spread out. Nominate a castle area e.g. a tree, wall or cubby house in your environment. You have a wand (whisk, toy wand, chopstick, stick etc).

Note: Wicked Witch can be used for any skill focus by adjusting the activities you do - try incorporating soccer, catching, or basketball dribbling.

How to play
Step 1:
  • All children are in the designated area and the witch a wand. The witch holds wand up in the air and calls out the spells "the wicked witch casts a spell on you to..." (complete a challenge, turn into an animal, etc)
  • Ideas of 'spells' to cast, include;
    • Jump around the square – jumping as far as you can
    • Small fast jumps on the spot
    • Run around in the direction the witch calls (forward, backward, left, right)
    • Skip around
    • Hop on one leg – change legs
    • Hop in a circle
    • Jump up to the sky as high as you can
    • Run backwards
    • Run with high knees
    • Run on the spot
    • Run at different speeds the witch commands (super fast, super slow)
    • Turn into an animal, and move like that animal
Step 2:
  • After calling out a number of spells the witch drops the wand and children race to the castle as the witch chases after them
Step 3:
  • Once all the children are 'safe' in the castle, the witch becomes friendly again, and children are free to return to the square and the witch continues with the commands
Variations
Make it easier
  • Start with commands everyone can do e.g. jump on the spot, run to a tree, turn in a circle
  • Play in a small contained area
Make it harder
  • If children are caught by the witch they need to do 5 frog jumps
  • Move the castle further away
Activity information
Age: 3-5 years, Kindergarten, Pre-Primary, Year 1, Year 2
Duration: 10 minutes
Skill focus
Explore these skills for teaching tips
Skill teaching

Before starting, have a turn at jumping as far as you can. Focus on starting with arms behind like a super hero and swinging and springing forward. Try again and see if you can go even further this time.  Remember the jumping teaching cues:

  1. Land like you are riding a motorbike – arms forward, ankles, knees and hips bent, feet apart
  2. Start with your arms stretched behind you like a superhero
  3. Swing & Spring
  4. Reach for a star and bring it down again (for vertical jumps)
Physical literacy tips
  • Let children have a turn being the witch
  • Try changing it to Friendly Pixie if children are scared of the Wicked Witch