Activity
Crab Soccer!
Get crabby in this fast and furious game of soccer for two or more players! Your child can compete one-on-one or play with an entire pod of crabs (a group of these two-pincher-ed crustaceans). Show her how to scramble about crab-style, trying to kick the ball into the goal! This fast-paced workout is sure to be a hit-- and it works some big muscles in the process.
What You Need:
- Large ball, such as a beach ball or other light-weight rubber ball
- Open space such as a backyard or a gym
- At least two players
- Cones or other markers
What You Do:
- Divide the players into two equal teams. If there are an odd number of children, ask a volunteer to sit out and substitute in after a few minutes.
- Ask your child to help choose an appropriate playing field. If there is only one player on each team, simply use a portion of the yard or gym. Two teams of four or more players may want to make use of the entire space.
- Have your child mark off a goal for each team on opposite ends of the playing field.
- Ask players to take their positions for the kickoff. Players should sit on the ground with their hands and feet flat on the ground. Move by pushing off the ground and scurrying about, face up, on all fours.
- For the kickoff, drop the ball between two players, one from each team. Players then "crab crawl" back and forth trying to kick the ball into the goal. When a goal is scored, return the ball to the center of the playing area and begin play again. Encourage the children to play for a previously agreed upon time: 15 minutes or so works well.
- The team with the most points wins!
Related learning resources
Soccer Word Scramble
Worksheet
Soccer Word Scramble
Star soccer players will love solving this sporty word scramble! Review some soccer words as you hone spelling and vocabulary.
4th grade
Reading & Writing
Worksheet
The Crab that Played with the Sea
Worksheet
The Crab that Played with the Sea
Introduce your little reader to some classic childhood literature, with Rudyard Kipling's charming story "The Crab That Played with the Sea."
4th grade
Reading & Writing
Worksheet
Animal Racing
Activity
Animal Racing
...For example, does a galloping horse move faster than a crab?...
3rd grade
Activity
Spanish: What Is My Job?
Worksheet
Spanish: What Is My Job?
...Click here and use our Spanish glossary for help.
spanish jobs, what is my job, jobs in spanish, doctor, painter, soccer player, carpenter, mechanic...
4th grade
Worksheet
Pumpkin Measurements
Activity
Pumpkin Measurements
...Which has the larger volume, the pumpkin or the soccer ball? Which weighs more, the pumpkin or the text book?...
4th grade
Math
Activity
What's the Big Idea? Summarizing Nonfiction Texts
Lesson plan
What's the Big Idea? Summarizing Nonfiction Texts
...Class set of Writing a Nonfiction Summary: The Mimic Octopus
Class set of highlighters
Class set of sticky notes
Chart paper
Document camera and projector
ENRICHMENT Soccer...
4th grade
Reading & Writing
Lesson plan
Make a Fun Brochure!
Activity
Make a Fun Brochure!
...It can be something serious, like a nonprofit cause, or something more everyday, such as “soccer is the best sport”, "Mexico is the perfect place for...
4th grade
Reading & Writing
Activity
What's the Big Idea? Summarizing Nonfiction Texts
Lesson plan
What's the Big Idea? Summarizing Nonfiction Texts
...Enrichment:
Provide a more difficult nonfiction text such as the Soccer: Nonfiction Text worksheet for students to summarize....
4th grade
Reading & Writing
Lesson plan
Measure Your Pulse with a Straw!
Activity
Measure Your Pulse with a Straw!
...How much does she think it will change immediately after she finishes exercising, such as after playing tag or soccer? This is called her recovery heart rate....
4th grade
Science
Activity
Close Reading: Introduction
Lesson plan
Close Reading: Introduction
...Show a collection of five to 10 images of professional soccer players....
3rd grade
Reading & Writing
Lesson plan
Writing Questions for Word Problems
Lesson plan
Writing Questions for Word Problems
...She decided to take the leftover pizza to soccer practice. Her team ate 1 1/8 pizzas....
4th grade
Math
Lesson plan
Justifying the Distributive Property
Lesson plan
Justifying the Distributive Property
...Give examples of distributing, such as a teacher distributing pencils to students or a coach distributing soccer balls....
4th grade
Math
Lesson plan
See this activity in a set:
13 Graduation Party Ideas