Indoor Paper Hopscotch

Step by step

1. 1Print the numbered squares from 1 to 6 on A4 paper.
2. 2Lay out the hopscotch on the floor together (straight line, L-shape, spiral), naming each number out loud.
3. 3Jump through once with both feet together while counting out loud to show how it works.
4. 4Let your child jump from square to square while saying the numbers; count along if they need a hand. If they jump out of order, let them finish the round, then turn counting back into a fun game.
5. 5Mix it up: hop on one foot for a few squares, jump backwards, or let your child rebuild the course.
6. 6Take it further: toss a ball of scrunched-up paper onto a square and jump to it; save the full traditional hopscotch rules for ages 4 to 6.

What it builds

Jumping with two feet, sticking the landing, jumping again: hopscotch builds balance and leg strength, square after square. And with a number on every square, counting 'one, two, three' sinks in through movement much better than plain repetition.