Stepping Stones Agility Builder
[20 Minutes]
This is a rock solid activity for developing agility - for all ages. Grab those good sized rocks hanging around the perimeter of your yard or your local park and line them up at varying distances and hop from rock to rock. Can you do it without falling off? Can you balance on one leg for 30 seconds on top of your favorite rock? Can you close your eyes and keep your balance on one leg? With your child, create your own unique steppin' stone challenges!
You'll need:
• a grassy area to create your stepping stone course
• 6-10 rocks of a size you can step on and balance
• sneakers and comfortable clothes
How to play:
- Together, gather your rocks and place them at distances you feel will be appropriate for you and your child. You can set them up in a line, a zig zag or a circle. Gathering and setting up the stones is half the battle! You'll be getting quite a bit of exercise merely with this activity. Let your child help you!
- Test your stones. Do a balance test run to check for wobbles, sharp edges, and size. See how they hold up to your "stone steppin's". Adjust or change stones as necessary.
- Let your child pick who will step first and who will direct or instruct first.
- The instructor rules. He tells the stepper when to start and what to do. The activities should be challenging -- but safe.
- See how many times it takes your child to complete the course without falling.
- Switch roles. Use the same instructions if you'd like - or create new ones. Encourage your child to decide.
- Change the course around for a new challenge. Use your agile imagination!
Let's Talk: Ideas to Explore Together.
- Do you know what agility means? Tell me.
- Why is agility in sports important?
- Is it important if I'm not going to participate in sports? Why or why not?
Useful information:
As you and your child are having fun hopping and stepping the stones, this activity helps to build balance and agility which is very important in all sports.
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