Clip-On Play Corner Board
Each child has a clothespin with their name and clips it onto the photo of the corner they want: wall ball, hopscotch, jump rope or hoops. To switch corners, they go back to the board and move their clip. Kids practice choosing, playing independently and respecting each corner's limit, just like at recess.
How to play
- Seated in front of the board, the teacher shows the photos of the four corners and how many clips fit on each (four or five) (2 min).
- Each child clips their pin onto a corner; if it's full, they choose another one or wait their turn (2 min).
- Play at the chosen corner with its materials: wall ball, chalk hopscotch, rope on the ground to jump over, and hoops (5 min).
- At the signal, anyone who wants to switch goes to the board, moves their clip to a corner with space and heads there (5 min).
- At the final signal, everyone tidies up their corner's materials and takes their clip off the board (2 min).
- In a circle, each child shares which corner they went to and what they did there (2 min).
Rules
- If your clip isn't on that corner, you don't play there.
- If a corner is full, pick another or wait.
- Materials stay in their own corner.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, use only two corners with the teacher helping to clip; no switching.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, use four corners and one switch at the signal.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, kids switch whenever they want within the limits, and a helper checks the board.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: hang the board at wheelchair height and include an adapted corner (seated wall ball).
- Autism: the child can stay at the same corner the whole time; the board helps them know what's coming.
- Visual impairment: each photo has a different texture glued on (rough, smooth, string) to recognize it by touch.
Learning goals
- Choose a game and stick with it.
- Respect how many players each corner can hold.
- Play independently with different materials.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Cardboard board with play corner photos: 1
- Large clothespins: 25
- Soft balls: 6
- Jump ropes: 5
- Sidewalk chalk: 10
- Hoops: 6
Teacher tip
Laminate the board and write names on the clothespins with a thick marker. The first day everyone will rush the same corner; that's fine, because learning to wait or choose another is part of the game.
PatioLab has "Clip-On Play Corner Board" and 8714 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
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