Color Families Come Together

Each child dances with a colored scarf, and when the music stops they form different families: same color, pairs, mixed colors and one giant family with everyone. It builds reacting to a signal and celebrates that every family is different and equally special.

How to play

1. Talk about families: some are big, some small, some have grandparents, two moms, two dads, one grown-up, brothers and sisters or none, and they’re all families; each child tucks a scarf into their waistband (2 min).
2. Dance all over the space; when the music stops, join everyone with the same color and give a family hug (3 min).
3. Families of two: when the music stops, find any classmate and make a shape together (2 min).
4. Mixed families: when the music stops, make groups where everyone has a different color (3 min).
5. Giant family: everyone in one big circle holding hands takes three steps in and three steps out (2 min).

Rules

• A family always has room for one more.
• If someone is alone, we invite them into our family.
• Dance into open spaces, no bumping.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the family comes to the child when the music stops and the hug happens at their height.
• Hearing loss: signal the music stopping by raising a big scarf.
• Autism: the family hug can be a high-five or touching scarves, with no body contact.

Learning goals

• React quickly when the music stops.
• Group up following different criteria.
• Value different kinds of families and welcome everyone.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Colored scarves: 25
• Music

Teacher tip

If one color has more children, the game naturally shows that families come in all sizes; say so out loud. Step into the family of anyone left alone before they feel bad.

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