Hand-to-Hand Errand

In pairs, one child runs an errand (an envelope) to a partner who waits with an open hand, and the partner only sets off once it's placed in their hand. Children practice passing the baton, waiting for the handoff and getting warm with short runs.

How to play

1. Each pair has two cones a few steps apart, one child at each. The waiting child holds out an open hand like a mailbox (1 min).
2. The child with the envelope walks to the partner, puts it in their hand and says 'Your errand!'; the partner carries it back to the other cone (1 min).
3. Now jog it, and the waiting child doesn't leave until they feel the envelope in their hand (2 min).
4. Move the cones a little farther apart and change how you travel: hopping, sideways or crab-walking (2 min).
5. Last errand very slowly, handed over with both hands and a 'thank you' (1 min).

Rules

• I wait at my cone with an open hand.
• I go when the envelope is in my hand, not before.
• We hand the envelope over; we don't throw it.
• All pairs play at once; it's not a race.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: bring the pair closer and hand the envelope to the hand or the lap.
• Autism: keep the same partner every time and put each child's photo on their cone.
• Visual impairment: the arriving child says the partner's name before handing over, and the waiting child claps to guide them.

Learning goals

• Wait for the handoff before setting off.
• Hand an object over carefully.
• Warm up with short back-and-forth runs.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Paper envelopes: 13
• Cones: 26

Teacher tip

Use large envelopes made from folded paper so they don't get lost or torn. The common mistake is taking off before having the envelope: exaggerate closing your hand, then going.

More activities like this

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