Activity: Cone Snatch

Activity

Cone Snatch

Cone Snatch is a quick, fun energizer that requires fast thinking and action. It’s a great way to teach language skills, too. If you don’t have cones on hand, you can substitute them with other objects.

1. Assign a leader, then break your group into pairs.
2. Ask each pair to take at least one cone (they may take more). Partners should then face each other and place their cone(s) between them.
3. As the leader calls out various actions, players swiftly respond. Keep momentum high. Examples include Simon Says, naming body parts (head, shoulders, knees, and toes), or calling out actions (such as spin, hop, and jump). Get creative! Encourage active listening and get everyone moving.
4. After the leader calls out a number of commands, they say “cone,” and participants race to be the first to pick up their cone.

Variations

• Switch partners after each round to increase movement and variety.
• Before starting, ask partners to ask each other a getting-to-know-you question. Examples: What is your favorite color? What is something that makes you laugh?
• You can improve accessibility by placing the cone on a table, with participants standing or seated on either side of it. Raising the height of the cone makes for less bending, stretching, and twisting.

Make It More Challenging

• Ask participants to stand further away from the cones, forcing them to walk or run to them.
• Incorporate locomotor skills, such as running in place or high knees, while calling out body parts.
• Use multicolored cones, and call out specific colors participants should pick up.

Cone Snatch promotes coordination, fosters teamwork, and makes teambuilding fun. It develops and improves reaction time, enhances executive functioning, improves focus, and develops cohesion with teammates.