Ladybugs Cross the Scarecrow's Garden
Ladybugs live on one side of the garden and must cross to the other side when the scarecrow calls them; anyone tagged becomes a scarecrow planted in place with arms spread who can tag anyone passing by. It practices running across, dodging and deciding when to go.
How to play
- The teacher marks the ladybugs' two homes on each side with cones, and the garden in the middle (1 min).
- We practice the chant: the scarecrow asks “Ladybugs, ladybugs, where are you going?” and they answer “To the other side to eat!” and walk across (2 min).
- Now the scarecrow chases as they cross; a tagged ladybug plants in the garden as a scarecrow, feet still, and tags with their arms anyone passing close (5 min).
- When only a few ladybugs are left, all the scarecrows wake up, become ladybugs again, and we restart with a new child in the middle (4 min).
- Ladybugs lie on their backs at home and wiggle their legs slowly in the air (2 min).
Rules
- I cross when we say “To the other side to eat!”
- At the side homes I'm safe.
- If I'm tagged, I'm a planted scarecrow: my feet don't move.
- Scarecrows tag gently, no grabbing.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, everyone crosses walking and the scarecrow only waves their arms without chasing.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, regular chasing, and when the scarecrows wake up, the teacher picks the new one in the middle.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, the scarecrow can call ways to cross (“hopping,” “slowly backward”) and moves the same way.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: starts as the middle scarecrow, a fixed role, tagging anyone passing; or crosses with a buddy and can't be tagged.
- Hearing impairment: the chant comes with a gesture (the scarecrow spreads their arms) to show when to cross.
- Autism: preview the order with pictures: question, answer, cross; practice turning into a scarecrow beforehand.
Learning goals
- Cross the space while dodging chasers.
- Choose when and which way to cross.
- Keep playing in another role once tagged.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Cones: 8
Teacher tip
Make the garden wide and short so scarecrows don't block the whole path. Wake the scarecrows up early: if a round drags on, the kids standing still get bored.
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