Our Campout Tent
Children inflate the parachute, pull it down behind their backs and sit on the edge so everyone ends up inside a colorful tent, where they enjoy a little pretend campout. It builds cooperation, movement sequencing and pretend play.
How to play
- The teacher says we're going camping and we all have to put the tent up together (2 min).
- Practice the balloon two or three times, all together (2 min).
- Put up the tent: with the fabric up, take one step in, pull it down behind your back and sit on the edge (3 min).
- Inside the tent, play camping: light a pretend campfire with our hands, listen to the crickets and snuggle up from the cold (3 min).
- Take the tent down by standing up and put it up once more, a little faster this time (3 min).
- Leave the tent by crawling out under the edge, one color at a time, while the others hold it (1 min).
Rules
- The fabric goes behind your back, never over your head.
- Sitting on the edge keeps the tent from flying away.
- Inside the tent we talk quietly.
- We go out one at a time without stepping on anyone.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, the teacher and another adult help pull the fabric behind them, and inside we only do the campfire and the crickets.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, they set it up themselves and suggest what else is at the campsite.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, they count how many seconds the tent stays up and figure out how to make it last longer.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: a child in a wheelchair sits by the edge and a classmate helps tuck the fabric behind the chair.
- Autism: warn them that the light and sounds change inside; the child can sit next to the opening the adult leaves.
- Hearing impairment: inside the tent the teacher acts out each action with big gestures, since the fabric muffles voices.
Learning goals
- Perform a sequence of movements in order as a group.
- Cooperate to reach a shared result.
- Enjoy shared pretend play.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Rainbow parachute: 1
Teacher tip
Before putting the tent up, rehearse pulling the fabric behind your back without inflating it. Don't let anyone end up with fabric over their face: sit inside and check that you can see every face.
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