Carry the Water, Don't Spill

Children carry water in a plastic cup along a curvy rope path, from the spring (a tub) to the garden (another tub). Keeping the cup from spilling while walking a line takes balance, body control and focus.

How to play

1. Set a tub of water at one end and an empty tub at the other, joined by a curvy rope path: "The garden plants are thirsty!" (2 min).
2. Walk the path with an empty cup to learn how to carry it: two hands, eyes on the cup (2 min).
3. Fill the cup halfway and carry it along the path to the garden without leaving the rope (4 min).
4. Fill the cup a bit more and try carrying it with one hand (3 min).
5. Work together to fill the garden tub up to a line painted on its side (2 min).
6. Water a real plant or tree in the playground with the garden water (1 min).

Rules

• I carry my cup carefully and slowly.
• I walk on the rope.
• If it spills, that's okay: I go back to the spring.
• The water is for the garden, not for splashing friends.

Variations

Adaptations

• Students who use a wheelchair carry the cup on a plate or tray on their lap along a wide path.
• Blind or low-vision students: a classmate claps ahead of them, and the cup has a lid with a hole to cut down on spills.
• Students who need more support use a cup with a handle or a small open bottle.

Learning goals

• Keep their balance walking a line while carrying something that can spill.
• Control speed and posture to reach a goal.
• Work together on a shared task and care for the playground plants.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Plastic cups: 25
• Plastic tubs: 2
• Jump ropes: 8
• Water

Teacher tip

Best on hot days with clothes that can get wet. Paint the line on the tub low enough that they can reach it; if they can't, the game turns into frustration.

More main activities for Elementary