Playground Riddle Hunt

In teams, students get simple riddles about places and objects on the playground. When they solve one, the team runs to that spot, finds a sheet of dot stickers there and puts one of its color on the team card. It builds understanding clues, group decision-making and exploring the surroundings.

How to play

1. Write 8 playground riddles, for example: "I have a net but I don't catch fish, and goals make me happy" (soccer goal) or "I open my mouth and you feed me trash" (trash can).
2. At each place, stick up a sheet of dot stickers in the 5 team colors along with a number.
3. Make 5 teams of 5, each with a color and a card with 8 numbered boxes. The teacher reads the first riddle to each team separately.
4. The team thinks it over together (1 minute max), runs to the spot, puts its sticker in the box with the number found there, and comes back for the next riddle.
5. Teams start on different riddles so they do not bunch up. Play about 12 minutes or until all 8 are done.
6. At the end, each team makes up a riddle about a new place and gives it to another team.

Rules

• The team goes to each spot together; nobody runs off alone.
• Take only one sticker per spot, in your own color.
• Do not shout answers, so other teams cannot hear them.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the team gives the student the job of reading and deciding the answer, and the places on the route are accessible.
• Hearing impairment: hand out the riddles in writing with a picture, besides reading them aloud.
• Fitness level: between riddles, fitter teams jog a lap of the blacktop.

Learning goals

• Interpret verbal clues to identify places.
• Make group decisions before acting.
• Move safely between different spots on the playground.

Equipment for a class of 25

• clue cards: 8
• dot stickers: 40

Teacher tip

If a team is stuck for more than a minute, give them an area hint. With pre-readers, the teacher or a classmate always reads the riddle aloud.

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