Hoop Car Traffic Jam

No vehicles needed: each child is a car inside their hoop, and everyone forms a long line of traffic that moves, brakes and starts again without touching the car ahead. It builds keeping a safe following distance and matching the group's pace.

How to play

1. Each child steps into their hoop and holds it at waist height: it's their car (1 min).
2. Explain safe distance: one big step fits between my hoop and the one in front (1 min).
3. Form a line of cars behind the teacher, who leads; we creep along a chalk road (2 min).
4. The teacher brakes suddenly, speeds up, brakes again: traffic jam! Everyone adjusts without bumping the car ahead (3 min).
5. Make two lines of traffic, with one child at the front of each (2 min).
6. Jam's over: each car pulls out of line and parks in its spot (1 min).

Rules

• My hoop doesn't touch the hoop in front.
• If the car ahead stops, I stop.
• No passing in a traffic jam.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: a child using a wheelchair can be the lead car setting the pace.
• Visual impairment: the child holds the hoop of the car in front with one hand, like being towed.
• Autism: place the child at the end of the line, with fewer kids behind, and an adult close by.

Learning goals

• Keep a distance from the friend in front.
• Match the group's pace.
• Control stopping and starting.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Hoops: 25
• Sidewalk chalk: 4

Teacher tip

For a fun jam, play a very dramatic lead car: honk, grumble about the traffic. If kids keep bumping, the line is too long; split it.

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