Zoolympics

[20 Minutes]

This creative race features two different “animals” competing against each other on a course that you and your child design. Playing this games helps increase stamina, agility, and coordination through a variety of movements using the whole body.

You'll need:

• paper bag • 10 pieces of scrap paper • pencil • stop watch

What to do:

1. If possible, print out these directions. Read them through with your child before you begin.
2. With your child, gather everything you’ll need.
3. Tell your child that you will each act out an animal and race that animal through a course you design.

How to play:

1. Together, write down on a scrap piece of paper the names of different animals. They can be animals form the zoo, the jungle, or the forest.
2. Fold the pieces of paper and put them into the paper bag.
3. Together decide what your race course will look like. The race course can be inside or outside.

   Will it go around the house or will it go in a straight line?
   Will the animals have to climb over something or under something?

4. You and your child may wish to walk the course first so you understand how the animal travels.
5. Close your eyes and pick out an animal from the bag.
6. Before starting the race, each person should demonstrate how the animal moves.
7. Let your child go first. On the start signal time your child around the race course.
8. Encourage her to go as fast as possible without losing the character of the animal.
9. Record that animals’ time on the piece of paper.
10. Switch roles and compare times.
11. Pick another two animals and run the race course again.

Let's Talk: Ideas to Explore Together.

• What are your favorite animals?
• Which animals do you think will travel faster?
• What type of animal were you when your body felt the most tired?
• How do you think the way your animal moves helps it to survive?