Cold, Warm, Hot! The Hidden Stuffed Animal
Taking turns, the grown-up hides the child's stuffed animal somewhere in the room and guides them with the classic clues, "cold," "warm," "hot," "you're on fire!", while the child moves around searching; then they switch, and the child hides it and gives the clues. It works spatial orientation, listening and decision-making, with a classic game you can play at home with nothing at all.
How to play
- The teacher shows the clues with gestures: cold (shiver), warm (rub hands), hot (fan yourself) and "on fire!" (jump) (2 min).
- Kids cover their eyes in the circle and count to ten while each grown-up hides their stuffed animal in plain sight at the child's height (1 min).
- Each child searches for their toy, moving the way the clue says: slowly when cold, faster when hot (3 min).
- Switch: grown-ups cover their eyes and kids hide the toy, then give clues with voice and gesture (3 min).
- One more round, now with gesture-only clues, no talking (2 min).
- Each child hugs their stuffed animal and tells their grown-up which hiding spot was the trickiest (1 min).
Rules
- Search by walking, no running or pushing.
- Listen to your grown-up: cold, warm, hot.
- Hide the toy where a little bit still shows.
- Don't touch other families' toys.
Variations
Easier
Age 3: the toy is hidden very close and half visible, with only two clues: cold and hot.
Standard
Age 4: all four clues, and kids also take a turn hiding.
Harder
Age 5: gesture-only clues, adding "up" or "down" by pointing.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: hiding spots are always within reach, and the grown-up pushes the wheelchair following the child's directions.
- Hearing impairment: give clues only with the agreed gestures or color cards (blue for cold, red for hot).
- Visual impairment: hide a toy that makes noise (with a bell or rattle), and give voice clues that get louder as they get closer.
Learning goals
- Find their way around a space by following clues.
- Make decisions about where to search and where to hide.
- Enjoy a traditional game as a family.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Stuffed animals: 25
Teacher tip
To keep toys from getting mixed up, each family hides in its own area of the room. Tell grown-ups to make it easy: the child's success is what makes them want to play again at home.
PatioLab has "Cold, Warm, Hot! The Hidden Stuffed Animal" and 8714 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
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