Movement · Game · Talking
Partner pull-together
Gentle partner movement challenges that are hard alone and easier together, like standing up back to back.
- 15 minutes
- In pairs, Whole class
- Ages 5–7, Ages 7–9, Ages 9–12
- Classroom or at home
- Printable: drawing frame
What to do
- Clear a space. Remind everyone to move slowly and stop if anyone says stop. Anyone who would rather not touch a partner does the mirror game the whole time.
- Mirror: partners face each other. One moves their hands slowly and the other copies, like a mirror. Then swap.
- Back to back, for ages 7 and up, in pairs only and on a mat: partners sit on the floor back to back with arms linked, and try to stand up together without using their hands on the floor. Younger children do the mirror game again instead.
- Carry the ball: partners carry a soft ball or rolled-up jumper across the room held only between their shoulders.
- Sit down together and read the saying and its meaning.
Questions to talk about
- Which challenge needed the most teamwork?
- What did you and your partner do to make it work?
You will need
- A clear space with room to sit on the floor
- Soft floor or a mat if possible
Make it fit
Simpler: Do only the mirror game, with big slow movements.
More of a stretch: Carry two balls at once, one between your shoulders and one between your elbows.
Printables
The instructions card is for the adult running the activity; the worksheet is for the children. Prints on A4 or US Letter at 100% / actual size; colour is optional.
The drawing frame
Partner pull-together
Name
Draw you and your partner doing the challenge that needed the most teamwork.
The instructions card
How to run it · Movement · Game · Talking
Partner pull-together
Gentle partner movement challenges that are hard alone and easier together, like standing up back to back.
15 minutesIn pairs, Whole classAges 5–7, Ages 7–9, Ages 9–12
What to do
- Clear a space. Remind everyone to move slowly and stop if anyone says stop. Anyone who would rather not touch a partner does the mirror game the whole time.
- Mirror: partners face each other. One moves their hands slowly and the other copies, like a mirror. Then swap.
- Back to back, for ages 7 and up, in pairs only and on a mat: partners sit on the floor back to back with arms linked, and try to stand up together without using their hands on the floor. Younger children do the mirror game again instead.
- Carry the ball: partners carry a soft ball or rolled-up jumper across the room held only between their shoulders.
- Sit down together and read the saying and its meaning.
You will need
- A clear space with room to sit on the floor
- Soft floor or a mat if possible
Talk about
- Which challenge needed the most teamwork?
- What did you and your partner do to make it work?
Make it fit
Simpler: Do only the mirror game, with big slow movements.
Stretch: Carry two balls at once, one between your shoulders and one between your elbows.
Goes with the printable drawing frame.