Zig zag
Stick or draw a zig zag line on the floor and let your child’s imagination do the rest!
A simple zig zag line on the floor can spark all kinds of movement, creativity, and independent play.
Whether it’s made from masking tape, string, chalk, or a skipping rope, it becomes whatever your child dreams up - a road, balance beam, queue for toys, or part of an epic obstacle course!
It’s the kind of setup that can keep them engaged throughout the day with new ideas unfolding over time. So easy to create, easy to reset, and full of play potential!
Materials
Prep
Step 1:
Lay a zig zag, curved, or wavy line on the floor using your chosen material.
Step 2:
Optionally, lay some toys nearby for inspiration - e.g. place a car on it for a "road", or a stash of figurines for them to make a toy parade.
Play
Step 1:
Invite your child to explore the line - balance on it, trace it, drive along it, or jump over it.
Step 2:
Offer a few ideas or prompts (see Extend below) or just see what they invent on their own.
Extend
Road play: Use it as a road for toy cars or figurines to walk over, inviting a session of pretend play
Balance challenge: Try walking it heel-to-toe, sideways like a crab, or hopping.
Moonwalk race: Try dancing backwards along the line!
Decorate it: Use loose parts, toys or stickers to create a colourful trail. A great opportunity for counting practice or pattern recognition.
Tape match: Give your child tape or chalk to copy the pattern somewhere else or just create open-ended art!
Obstacle course: Add more lines and actions to build a full course.
