Dress the Teacher Relay
The teacher stands in the middle like a mannequin, and children take relay turns bringing oversized clothes from a basket (hat, scarf, jacket, gloves, plastic sunglasses) and putting them on the teacher. The challenge is to dress the teacher completely before the song ends and then undress them, practicing running, dressing skills and shared laughter.
How to play
- The teacher stands still on the far side of the room; the basket of clothes sits next to the four lines of kids (1 min).
- Show a trip: take one item, run over, carefully put it on the teacher and come back to high-five the next child (2 min).
- The song plays: can we dress the teacher completely before it ends? Kids in line call out what's still missing (3 min).
- Admire the dressed-up teacher and take a pretend photo saying “Cheese!” (1 min).
- Now in reverse: each relay runner takes one item off and brings it back folded to the basket (3 min).
- To finish, the funny-looking teacher thanks each line with a bow (2 min).
Rules
- I carry one item at a time.
- I dress the teacher gently, no pulling.
- If I don't know how to put it on, I ask my line for help.
- We laugh with the teacher, not at the teacher.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, use very easy items (hat, scarf, fabric necklace) and the teacher bends down to help.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, add an open jacket and gloves, as described.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, include items with a big button or Velcro to fasten, and use two mannequins (teacher and aide).
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the mannequin moves closer, or the child puts the item on from their wheelchair when it's their turn.
- Autism: show picture steps with the order of the clothes and warn that the teacher will stay “frozen.”
- Less fine-motor skill: use clothes with big fasteners and let the child do it with a buddy.
Learning goals
- Practice putting clothes on and taking them off another person.
- Wait for a turn and tag in a teammate.
- Enjoy a fun challenge with the whole group.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Oversized clothes: 12
- Basket: 1
- Cones: 4
- Music
Teacher tip
Use roomy adult clothes with no drawstrings. Two kids may bring the same kind of item; that's fine, the teacher ends up in two hats and the laughs are guaranteed.
PatioLab has "Dress the Teacher Relay" and 8714 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
More main activities for Elementary
"Al Pasar la Barca" Parachute Rowing
Sitting around the parachute, children row by pulling the fabric toward them and letting it go toward the middle to the rhythm of the traditional Spanish song "Al pasar…
"Corro de la Patata" Parachute Circle
Children circle with the parachute while singing the traditional Spanish song "Al corro de la patata" (Potato Circle), and on "achupé, achupé" everyone sits down…
"El Patio de Mi Casa" Parachute Song
Children sing the traditional Spanish ring song "El patio de mi casa" while circling with the parachute and lowering it to the ground on "agáchate" (squat down).
"Que Llueva" Parachute Rain
Using the traditional Spanish children's song "Que llueva, que llueva" (Let It Rain), children make rain, clouds and sun with the parachute, and some hide underneath as…
«A la Zapatilla por Detrás»: The Slipper Behind Your Back
Sitting in a circle with eyes covered, one child walks around the outside with a slipper singing the traditional Spanish rhyme «A la zapatilla por detrás» («the…
«A Tapar la Calle»: The Chain That Blocks the Street
Half the class forms a hand-in-hand chain that walks forward singing the traditional Spanish song «A tapar la calle» («Block the street so nobody passes»), while the…