From Puddle to Cloud: The Drop That Rises
Children are water drops that leave their puddles, rise into the sky in the sun's heat by climbing onto benches and mats, gather into one big cloud (the parachute) and fall again as rain. Kids practice climbing, controlled descents and teamwork to move the parachute.
How to play
- Each drop stands inside a puddle (blue hoop), two or three per puddle; the teacher explains that the sun is heating the puddles (2 min).
- Evaporation: the drops tiptoe out of the puddle, light as steam, and climb up the bench or folded mat (3 min).
- In the sky: all the drops grab the parachute edge to make the cloud, and we move it gently with the wind (3 min).
- The cloud gets fat and heavy: the parachute rises and falls harder, and when the teacher says "Plop!" the rain falls: we let go and squat down to the ground (3 min).
- The drops run along the ground looking for a new puddle (another hoop) and the journey starts again (2 min).
- The last time, the drop stays to sleep in its puddle: lying inside the hoop, we breathe slowly (2 min).
Rules
- I climb onto the bench or mat one at a time, no pushing.
- In the cloud, I hold the parachute with both hands.
- When it rains, I get down slowly, no jumping off.
- I share my puddle with other drops.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, the climb is just a mat on the floor and adults also hold the parachute.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, bench and mats, and the cloud goes up and down.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, when it rains the drops run under the raised parachute and come out the other side.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: goes up a ramp or with an adult alongside; in the cloud, holds the parachute from the wheelchair.
- Autism: let them choose a fixed spot on the parachute edge and warn them before "Plop!"
- Visual impairment: a buddy walks them to the bench and describes where the cloud is.
Learning goals
- Climb onto and off raised surfaces safely.
- Work with the group to move the parachute.
- Act out the water cycle with the body.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Play parachute: 1
- Mats: 4
- Low benches: 2
- Blue hoops: 8
Teacher tip
Keep an adult at the bench and mats under and around it whenever there's height. Before playing, draw puddle, sun, cloud and rain on the board; with four pictures they get the whole idea.
PatioLab has "From Puddle to Cloud: The Drop That Rises" and 8714 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
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