Beans

Fun, warm-up game for younger children incorporating all types of movement - no equipment required.

Set up

Designate a play space inside or outside. Children stand up and spread out in the designated area.

How to play
Step 1:
  • On the educator's instruction, children become a different type of bean. Ideas of different beans to explore include;
    • Runner bean – run fast around the area or on the spot
    • Jelly bean – wobble your arms, legs, and body about
    • Frozen bean – stop moving and freeze
    • Baked bean - curl up tightly into a small ball
    • Full of beans – crazy dancing on the spot
    • Broad bean – stretch arms and legs out wide
    • Snake bean - slither along the ground
    • Chilli bean – shiver and shake
    • Kidney bean - bend over and try and touch toes
    • String bean – stand on tip toes with arms stretched up in the air
    • Jumping bean – jump on the spot
    • Balance bean – balance on 1 leg
    • Dancing bean - show your best dance moves
    • Hopping bean - hop on one leg
Step 2:
  • Continue calling out new beans, going as fast or as slow as you like!
Variations
Make it easier
  • Play Beans standing in one spot E.g. Standing behind chairs at their desks
  • Start with a few simple beans e.g. runner bean, string bean, broad bean
  • The educator demonstrates the bean at the same time
Make it harder
  • Move around a larger area
  • Call out different beans faster so children have to transition quickly from standing to jumping to frozen etc.
Activity information
Age: Kindergarten / Pre-school, Foundation, Year 1, Year 2
Participants: 1 +
Duration: 5 minutes
Skill focus
Explore these skills for teaching tips
Activity summary
Physical literacy tips
  • Let a child be the leader and choose the beans
  • Ask children to create their own bean