Fill the Farm: Four Stations, One Team
The class splits into four farm stations, and at each one children move things from one side to the other in a different way: eggs, milk, hay and sheep. Groups rotate with the music, and by the end the whole farm must be full, practicing several movement skills and a shared challenge with no winners.
How to play
- Set up four stations, each with a start and a destination: henhouse (beanbag eggs into a basket, walking on tiptoe), dairy (ball “milk” into a hoop, waddling in a squat), hayloft (scarf hay into a basket, hopping) and sheep pen (the kids themselves crawl like sheep to a hoop and back) (3 min).
- The teacher walks everyone through the four stations and shows how each thing is carried (3 min).
- Each group starts at a station; the music plays and they carry one item at a time; when it stops, they rotate clockwise to the next station (6 min).
- Last song: all groups go around the farm together and finish whatever is missing at any station (2 min).
- Sit in the middle while the farmer (teacher) checks the full farm, and celebrate with animal sounds (2 min).
Rules
- At each station I carry one thing at a time.
- I move the way the station asks.
- When the music stops, I go with my group to the next station.
- The farm is everyone's: I help wherever it's needed.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, use only two stations (henhouse and hayloft) with the teacher going along with each group.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, four stations with rotation, as described.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, each station asks for a number (for example, eight eggs in the basket) and the group counts before rotating.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: bring each station's destination closer and let the child carry items on their lap.
- Autism: put a picture sign at each station and assign a steady buddy who rotates with the child.
- Hearing impairment: also signal station changes by raising a flag.
Learning goals
- Practice different ways of moving and carrying.
- Follow rotations and each station's instructions.
- Cooperate across groups to complete the farm.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Beanbags: 20
- Balls: 20
- Scarves: 20
- Hoops: 4
- Baskets: 4
- Cones: 8
- Music
Teacher tip
Make each station very clear with a start cone and an end cone. Groups like to linger at a favorite station, so always use the same signal and the same direction for rotating.
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