Indoor Recess Games with an Animal Acting Chant

Need a fun activity for students to do when you can't go outside and play? This animal themed gross motor game makes the perfect solution for solving the indoor recess dilemma. Perfect for practicing acting out emotions during an animal unit, or just as a fun game for students to play, this gross motor activity gets kids moving and keeps the boredom away.

What is Included:

• A page that gives directions on how to play the game.

• A poem card that is chanted between each round.

• 51 animal cards depicting different animals for students to act out.

How to Play:

To begin, the teacher needs the students to stand around the room, making sure there is enough room for students to act out each animal without bumping into other students. The teacher will chant the poem, and at the same time the students will pretend to be asleep. Once the poem is chanted the teacher (or a student) will choose a card and call out the animal. Students will then begin to act out like that animal. Once the teacher chants the poem again, students will again pretend to sleep until a new animal is chosen.

When to Use:

• Indoor Recess - This game is a great plan for when you can't go outside to play, whether it is due to the weather or some other factor. Once the cards are created, this is a quick, easy to set up activity for teachers to do with students.

• Gross Motor Game or Whole Group Activity - This game, if used during an animal unit, makes a great game to play anytime.

• Physical Education Game - PE teachers can use this game to practice following rules and listening.

Skills Assessed:

• Understanding different animal name vocabulary

• Following directions

• Listening skills

• Whole body movements