Five Movers Carry the Mat
In teams of five, children carry a mat from the storage area to their spot following three rules, play on it, and put it back the same way at the end. It works on cooperation, independence in setting up and cleaning up, and shared effort.
How to play
- The teacher shows the three carrying rules: everyone holds on, no dragging, and we say "lift!" together (2 min).
- Each team gathers around its mat, counts "one, two, three, lift!" and carries it to the spot marked with its card (3 min).
- Play on the mat: log rolls one at a time, waiting off the mat for a turn (4 min).
- Switch spots: each team carries its mat to another team's card (2 min).
- Clean up: carry each mat back to the storage area and stack it with the teacher right there (3 min).
Rules
- Everyone holds on, no dragging.
- We say "lift!" together.
- One at a time on the mat.
Variations
Easier
For 4-year-olds, small mats and a short, straight route.
Standard
For 5-year-olds, the route has a turn and goes through a doorway.
Harder
For confident 5-year-olds, one child is captain and calls "lift!", "walk", "down!".
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: be the captain who guides and counts, or carry the destination card.
- Autism: same team and spot every time, with photos of the route there and back.
- Less strength: stand in the middle of a long side, where the weight is shared best.
Learning goals
- Coordinate effort with a team.
- Set up and put away equipment independently.
- Wait for a turn on the mat.
Equipment for a class of 25
- thin mats: 5
- picture cards: 5
Teacher tip
Thin mats only, never big crash mats. The classic mistake is half the team pulling one way and half the other: before walking, have everyone face where they're going.
PatioLab has "Five Movers Carry the Mat" 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…