Balloon Shepherds

The children are shepherds who push balloons along the ground with pool noodles to get them into the pen. It builds steering an object with a tool, spatial orientation, and teamwork.

How to play

1. Each child takes a pool noodle: it's a shepherd's staff (1 min).
2. The balloon flock is loose around the playground: we push balloons along the floor with the noodle (3 min).
3. We guide the balloons to the pen, a mat area, without touching them with our hands (4 min).
4. The teacher is the wind and pushes balloons out of the pen: we bring them back (3 min).
5. Two shepherds guide one big balloon together, one on each side (2 min).
6. The flock sleeps: we put down the noodles and sit by the pen (1 min).

Rules

• The noodle stays low on the ground, never up high.
• I push balloons, not classmates.
• The balloons belong to the whole flock.
• If a balloon pops, I don't touch the pieces: I tell my teacher.

Variations

Adaptations

• Motor-impaired: a shorter noodle to push from the wheelchair; the pen is right next to them.
• Visual impairment: balloons with bells and a pen outlined with rope on the ground.
• Autism: starts with one "own" balloon of a set color before joining the flock.

Learning goals

• Steer an object with a tool.
• Find one's way to a target area.
• Help with a group task.

Equipment for a class of 25

• globos: 30
• churros de piscina: 25
• colchonetas: 2

Teacher tip

Demonstrate low to the ground: "the noodle sweeps." Best on a calm day or in the gym. Wrapping-paper tubes work if you have no noodles. If one pops, pick up every piece right away and keep spare balloons already blown up; watch that no one bites them.

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