Animation Mats: Creative Play - Bug Hopscotch
Bug Hopscotch can be used in the classic way: children jump forward and back, aim for specific squares, count the steps, and practise body coordination (switching legs, one-foot jumps, two-feet jumps). It can work as simple free play—kids explore it on their own with minimal guidance.
Here’s a quick look at Bug Hopscotch in classic free-play mode (jumping forward/back, aiming, and counting squares):
In this post, we’ll share an alernative scenario: how to use the same hopscotch mat as a tool for a moderated group activity in preschool. The goal is to keep turns short, support turn-taking and listening, and make it easy to guide 15 children in a big playroom with clear structure and calm rules.
Session scenario (preschool, 15 kids, big playroom)
What you need
- Projected Bug Hopscotch mat on the floor
- Optional: two simple “markers” for waiting spots (cones, tape, two floor dots)
2 min — Warm-up: “Statues & safe feet”
Kids stand in a semicircle facing you.
Say and show:
- “Near the mat we use walking feet - slow and safe.”
- “When I say freeze, we become a statue.”
Do 2-3 rounds: walk in place → freeze → relax.
1 min — Quick setup (traffic control)
Make 3 zones:
- Start line - square with a caterpillar (5 kids)
- Waiting line - outside the mat border (10 kids behind)
- Return path around the hopscotch fields (so no one crosses the hopscotch mat)
Choose two helpers (optional):
- Helper A: “statue leader” (shows statue pose)
- Helper B: “clap leader” (leads one clap)
This keeps the group busy and reduces rushing.
Warm-up + setup teaches the rules first, so the rest of the session runs much smoother.
Game 1 (4 min) — “Hop like…” (short turns) 🦗
Rule: one child goes, whole path .
Script:
- “Jump onto the caterpillar.”
- “Now walk like an ant / stomp like a beetle/ fly like a bee.”
- “Finish on the butterfly at the top and come back on the return path.”
Rotate quickly. If someone needs more time, let them walk—no pressure.
Game 2 (6 min) — “Bug colours” (find + step) 🐞
Rule: one child, one colour (or two if the group is focused).
Call:
- “Find a red bug!”
- Child steps or jumps until they reach a square containing a red-coloured bug, everyone says “red!” and claps once.
Next colours: yellow, blue, green, purple etc..
Make it easier: let them point first, then step.
Make it harder: “Red, then blue”(two-step instruction: forward and back), or “Say the colour while you jump.”
Game 3 (optional) — “Freeze bugs” (everyone together + self-control) 🧊
Do this without stepping on the mat (safer with 15 kids).
Everyone stands around the mat border.
- “Walk around like a snail / beetle...”
- “Freeze!”
- “Show me a tiny bug / sleepy bug / happy bug.”
2–3 quick rounds.
1 min — Cool-down: “Bug breathing” 🧘
Everyone sits or stands still.
- “Hands up… inhale.”
- “Hands down / hands on belly… exhale.”
- “One last bug statue… and done.”
Simple classroom rules (say once, then repeat as needed)
- “One child on the hopscotch mat.”
- “We return on the outside path.”
- “We wait as statues and copy the Statue Leader.”
How to make it fair with 15 kids
Instead of forcing every child through every game (it can get rushed and messy), use a simple rotation:
- In Session A, kids #1–8 get turns in Game 1, kids #9–15 get turns in Game 2.
- In Session B, swap the groups.
That way, across two short sessions everyone gets multiple turns and the pace stays calm.
When creating new variations, keep rules simple:
- Younger children: more imitation and basic jump/walk rules
- Older preschoolers: more colours, simple counting, aiming, and two-step instructions
- You can also combine play with singing, naming bugs, or short music cues.
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Motioncube Team
Useful links:
- Complete collection of 40 mats: Animation Mats: Creative Play
- Bug Hopscotch projectiom mat
