Sock Juggling School

What you need

• Rolled socks, 3 pairs, rolled into balls
• Paper, 1 sheet
• Pencil, 1

How to do it

Grown-up prep: Clear a roomy spot in front of a bed or couch so dropped socks land somewhere soft and nobody trips.

1. Roll each pair of socks into a tight, soft ball.
2. Stand facing the bed or couch with your socks beside you.
3. Throw one sock from one hand to the other in an arc, peaking at eye height.
4. Hold one sock in each hand and throw the first one up toward your other hand.
5. When the first sock peaks, throw the second one underneath it. Catch, catch, and pause.
   Ask: What do you think will happen if you throw the second sock too early?
6. Now hold two socks in the hand you write with and one in the other.
7. Throw one sock from your two-sock hand in an arc toward your other hand.
8. When it peaks, throw the sock from your other hand underneath it, then catch the first sock.
9. When the second sock peaks, throw the last sock underneath it, then catch, catch.
   Ask: Which throw felt trickiest, and what could you change to make it smoother?
10. Check for the two common mistakes.
11. Count your best run and write it down. Now teach a friend, or beat your record tomorrow!
    Ask: How many catches do you think you can get in a row by the end of the week?

Play it again

• Scarf start: warm up with two scarves before switching to socks.
• Daily record: write your best run each day and graph it on paper.
• Teach time: show a friend each step and cheer for their best run.