Sharing Nature Articles and Activities

Activity from Japan Nature Game Leader's Manual
by Shin-ichi Furihata, Japan
 

A. Awaken Enthusiasm
B. Animals, Observation, Imagination, Empathy
C. Grassy area, school grounds, indoors, anytime
D. 2-20 people
E. 2 years or older
F. Circles of rope or tape (two different colors)

In Japan, there are many different wild animals such as bear, deer, serow, rabbits, foxes and pheasants. On snowy days, we can see their footprints in the snow. By looking at the footprints, it's fun to try to imagine how the animals walk. Which footprints are front legs and which are back legs? In which order are the footprints made? Typically, the participants in nature activities simply observe the footprints and imagine how the animals walk. In our activities, we actually try to walk like the animals.

For example, choose three different animals: sparrow, mountain pheasant, and rabbit. Prepare circles from ropes or tape, using different colors for the front legs and the back legs. First, the leader places circles on the ground for the sparrow's footprints--about 10 steps.
The sparrow has two feet and jumps with both feet together, so just place ten circles in a row. The participants will jump from circle to circle with both feet together, flapping their arms like wings. This is the simplest animal walk.

Next, it gets more difficult. The mountain pheasant walks one foot at a time so place the rings in two rows as shown in the photo below. If you carefully observe the mountain pheasant, you will see that it rocks from side to side, and kicks it's feet back after every step. The leader should give a lively demonstration of how the mountain pheasant walks.

Finally, the most difficult is the rabbit. The rabbit puts down its front paws, and then brings its back legs in front of the front paws. When the participants try to walk like the rabbit, some people fall over, so please be careful. Try the activity until everyone can walk like a rabbit.

By walking like the animals, we can actually experience how they move and become more familiar with the animals. Please try this activity for the animals in your region.

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