Activity that Involves Recyclables, Learning and Physical Activity with Children

Question

Answer

A-Maze-ing

One of my favorite activities is called “A-Maze-ing.” This simple, fun activity is perfect for the school based setting, the clinic, and in the home. A-Maze-ing requires minimal planning and preparation. A-Maze-ing is also easily adaptable to appeal to large or small groups, and to kids of various ages and abilities.

You will need

-Large cardboard box (pizza box, large shoe box, printer paper box) for maze box, (1 for every 1-3 players)

-For obstacles in the maze:

• Small plastic containers (applesauce, yogurt)
• Small cardboard jewelry boxes
• Bottle caps (milk and sports drink caps)

-Bottle caps (milk or sports drink caps) to move through the maze

-Small shoebox or rectangular tissue box (1 per every maze box for Activities

#1; 2-4 per every maze box for Activity #2)

-Stopwatch or timer (for Activity #1, Options #1 and #3)

-Academic question cards and answer cards (for Activity #2)

-Tape

Preparation

1) Create a maze inside the box, by taping obstacle items inside the box, leaving enough space for the milk or sports cap to move between the items in the box.

2) Cut a small slit (2-3” wide) out of one side of the box for the maze "entrance" and another slit (2-3” wide) out of the opposite side of the box for the "exit".

For the pizza box, cut one slit on top and one on the bottom of the box.

For shoe boxes or printer paper boxes, cut one hole on the bottom left and the other hole on the bottom right of the box.

How to Play

Activity #1: A-Maze-ing

1) Have 1-3 players pick up the maze box.

2) Place the small shoe box or rectangular tissue box on the floor, next to the exit of the maze box.

3) Place a bottle cap at the entrance to the maze.

4) Player(s) work together tilting, tipping, and shaking the box to move the cap toward the exit of the maze.

5) When the cap reaches the exit, try to drop the cap into the small box located on the floor below.

A-Maze-ing Options

Option #1

1) Time how fast it takes to send the cap through the maze.

2) Attempt to beat that time.

Option #2

Instead of standing to tip and tilt the box, change positions (for instance, tall kneeling, half kneeling, squatting, standing on tiptoes, etc.).

Option #3

Teams compete against each other to see which team can get the most caps into the box on the floor in a set number of minutes.

Activity #2: A-Maze-ing Answers

1) Tape an academic answer card to each of the small shoe boxes or rectangular tissue boxes.

2) Place the boxes on the floor.

3) Ask an academic question prior to placing the cap in the box.

4) Move the cap through the maze as in Activity #1.

5) As the cap reaches the end of the maze, aim for the cap to drop into the box with the correct answer to the question.

Picture: Two children work cooperatively to move the red cap through the maze. 

To see more activities check out Dr. Amy Schlessman's course and go green with her new book release! The activities outlined can be done anywhere, with large or small groups, and with kids of various ages and abilities