Dress-Up Trunk Body Game

Boxes full of clothes and accessories become the dress-up trunk. Each child grabs one item, figures out which body part it goes on and puts it on, then moves like a character. Kids practice body awareness, dressing independently and pretend play.

How to play

1. Place four boxes around the gym with big assorted clothing: hats, scarves, gloves, thick socks, vests, skirts, lens-free glasses, belts.
2. In a circle, the teacher pulls out an item: "Where does the hat go?" Everyone points to their head. Repeat with 3–4 items (2 min).
3. Music or tambourine: everyone walks around. When it stops, each child goes to a box, takes one item and puts it on the right body part (4 min).
4. Parade: wearing the item, kids move like the teacher's characters: "Hats hop like wizards; scarves walk tall and proud" (4 min).
5. Return the item to the box and take another; three more rounds (4 min).
6. Finish: everyone takes the clothes off and folds them away, naming the part where they wore them (2 min).

Rules

• One item at a time, worn over our own clothes.
• Nothing tight around the neck: scarves stay loose.
• If someone needs help putting it on, we offer it.
• Walk, don't run, while dressed up.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: upper-body items (hats, vests, gloves) and boxes within reach.
• Autism: avoid textures that bother the child, let them choose, and preview the order of rounds.
• Different skill levels: no buttons for kids who struggle; big buttons or zippers for skilled kids.

Learning goals

• Match each clothing item to the body part it goes on.
• Build independence putting clothes on and taking them off.
• Act out characters through movement.

Equipment for a class of 25

• assorted clothing items: 40
• cardboard boxes: 4

Teacher tip

Ask families for old clothes and check for long drawstrings. Use big sizes so kids dress fast and don't get frustrated.

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