Little Red Riding Hood Forest Story
The teacher tells Little Red Riding Hood's walk to Grandma's house and the whole class acts it out: crossing a river on stones, walking a log, carrying a basket on the head, and freezing as trees when the wolf comes.
How to play
- Set up a fabric river with hoops as stones, ropes as fallen logs, and mats as Grandma's house. In a circle: "Today we are all Little Red Riding Hood."
- "Mom gives us the basket": each child puts a beanbag on their head and walks through the forest without dropping it. 3 minutes.
- "We reach the river": they leave the basket and cross stepping only on the stones (hoops), several times. 4 minutes.
- "A fallen log": they cross the floor ropes on tiptoes, arms out, like walking a narrow log. 4 minutes.
- "Here comes the wolf!": on a tambourine hit or loud clap, they freeze like trees, on one foot with arms up; the wolf (you) walks by and can't see them. 4 minutes.
- "Grandma's house": they lie on the mats and whisper which part they liked best. 3 minutes.
Rules
- Cross the river and logs without pushing, each at their own pace.
- Step on the stones; don't jump hard onto them.
- The wolf is pretend: if you get scared, come hold the teacher's hand.
- When the teacher tells the story, we listen still.
Variations
Easier
Cross the stones holding a buddy's hand and walk the log with one foot on each side.
Standard
Cross stones and logs alone; freeze on two feet.
Harder
Keep the basket on the head on the log too, and freeze as a one-foot tree.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: a wide path through the river, and the tree with the arms.
- Autism or fear: preview that the wolf is the teacher and let the child be a tree next to the adult.
- More skilled kids invent a new part of the path; kids who need support get stones placed closer together.
Learning goals
- Keep balance in different situations within a story.
- Carry an object on the head while moving.
- Enjoy the story while managing feelings of surprise.
Equipment for a class of 25
- fabric pieces: 4
- ropes: 4
- hoops: 12
- mats: 4
- beanbags: 20
Teacher tip
Tell it with an expressive voice and short sentences, and act out every move yourself. A friendly wolf who "can't see" anyone prevents tears with the three-year-olds.
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