Velcro Vests: Catching Aide, Throwing, Push Up Support

Velcro Vest as a Multi-Purpose Adapted PE Tool

The Velcro Vest is a creative and engaging piece of equipment used in Adapted Physical Education to promote motor skill development, increase participation, and support students with varying abilities. This vest, outfitted with Velcro panels on the front and/or back, can be used in several inclusive and gamified activities:

Catching Aid: Students wear the vest while soft Velcro balls or beanbags are tossed their way. This turns catching into a success-oriented task, as the ball “sticks” to the vest upon contact. It builds confidence, improves hand-eye coordination, and supports students who are still developing fine motor control or reaction time.
Gamified Push-Ups: Place Velcro targets or small balls on the floor beneath the vest. As the student lowers into a push-up, the goal is to “catch” the ball with the front of the vest. This makes strength exercises more fun and visually goal-oriented, encouraging students to reach full range of motion.
Pick-Up Game (Clean-Up Style): Scatter Velcro objects (like beanbags or soft balls) across the playing area. Students wear the vest and “pick up” items by sticking them to their vest while moving through an obstacle course or during a timed challenge. This promotes movement, bending, coordination, and adds a scavenger hunt element to class.

This equipment is ideal for increasing engagement, making tasks more achievable, and creating inclusive, multi-sensory learning experiences for all students.