Each Hand to Its Basket

With a red bracelet on one wrist and a blue one on the other, children pick up scarves around the playground: red ones only with the red hand, blue ones with the blue hand, and carry them to the matching basket. It works on using each hand according to a marker without dictating which is which.

How to play

1. Put a red bracelet on one wrist and a blue one on the other; each child decides which color goes where (2 min).
2. The teacher shows the two baskets, one on each side of the playground, and scatters the scarves (1 min).
3. Collect scarves: red with the red hand, blue with the blue hand, one at a time to its basket (4 min).
4. Empty the baskets, toss the scarves into the air and collect them again after swapping bracelets (4 min).
5. Now carry two at once: a red one in the red hand and a blue one in the blue hand (2 min).
6. Count together how many scarves are in each basket (1 min).

Rules

• Each scarf is picked up with the hand of its color.
• Walk or jog with the scarves; no pushing.
• We're all filling the same baskets: we play together.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: a classmate brings scarves over and the child grabs and drops them into a basket by the wheelchair.
• Less coordination: use large scarves or small cloth bags that are easy to grip.
• Autism: a picture card showing red hand with red scarf to remind them of the rule.

Learning goals

• Use each hand according to a color marker.
• Grasp and release objects with one hand and then the other.
• Work together on a shared task.

Equipment for a class of 25

• red yarn bracelets: 25
• blue yarn bracelets: 25
• red scarves: 15
• blue scarves: 15
• baskets: 2

Teacher tip

Have the bracelets pre-tied with a loose knot to save time. If a child uses the wrong hand, ask "What color is your scarf, and your hand?" and let them fix it themselves.

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