Snail Racing Ideas

Hold a snail race to teach children about these little creatures. Snails receive a bad reputation for their slowness and the slime trail they leave behind on their travels, but the slime is merely a lubricant that helps them move around. During a snail race, children will learn to interact safely with animals while gaining an understanding of the importance of each member of the ecosystem, even those that are considered slimy.

  1. Setup

    • Children will find an activity especially engaging if you incorporate an element of competition. Facilitate a friendly competitive environment by having each child select her own racing snail from the garden. That way, she will also feel invested in the creature's performance. Children can label the snails they have chosen by gently placing a small sticker on their shells. Since water may make it more difficult for stickers to adhere to a snail's shell, to do this on a day when the shells are not slick with rain.

    Course

    • One of the most common problems with snail races is that snails travel in all directions and are unlikely to move in a straight path toward a designated finish line. Compensate for this by drawing two concentric circles on a smooth surface, using chalk. The outer circle should measure about 15 inches, and the inner circle about 3 inches in diameter. Place the snails inside the inner circle to begin the race.

    Rules

    • Discussing the rules of a snail race before hand will eliminate conflict regarding the winner and will also help children learn to play fairly. Decide on a set of rules to apply to your course. For example, you may decide that the first snail to cross the second line is the winner, regardless of how many zigzags or loops this snail makes in its path to the edge of the circle. Consider making a rule that states children are not allowed to nudge or pick up the snails during the race to avoid giving them an unfair advantage or encumbering the snails of others.

    Tips for Performance Enhancement

    • A smoothly running snail race may not be as simple as you think. Several components are required to urge the snails to race as efficiently as possible. Achieve the perfect racetrack by dampening several paper towels and laying them down smoothly to cover the ground in the racing area. This material will help them get better traction as they move across the ground. Dim the lights to keep the snails from staying hidden in their shells, since these creatures are repelled by light and are highly sensitive to it.