Playground Safari: Find It, Move Like It

In groups of three, students go on safari to find 12 animal pictures hidden around the playground. When they find one, the group moves like that animal on the way to their next search spot and checks it off on their sheet. It builds exploring skills and a variety of locomotor movements.

How to play

1. Before class, hide 12 laminated animal pictures (kangaroo, crab, snake, bear, frog…) at eye level on posts, trees and walls.
2. Make groups of three and give each a sheet showing the 12 animals and a pencil. Review how each animal moves (3 min).
3. On the signal, groups search. When they find an animal, they cross it off and move like it for 10 yards before searching again.
4. The safari lasts 10 minutes. Every 5 minutes the group switches guides; the guide carries the sheet.
5. At the end, each group counts its animals and the class does a final parade as the animal that was hardest to find.

Rules

• The group of three always moves together.
• Look at the pictures and leave them where they are.
• When moving like animals on the ground, look around to avoid bumping.
• Stay inside the safari boundaries marked with cones.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the student chooses how to imitate each animal (arms, trunk, rhythm) and searches a flat area.
• Hearing impairment: signal guide changes by holding up a colored card.
• Fitness level: demanding animals (kangaroo, crab) can be done for 5 or 15 yards.

Learning goals

• Explore the playground looking for hidden items.
• Practice a variety of locomotor movements by imitating animals.
• Get organized as a group and take turns with roles.

Equipment for a class of 25

• printed pictures: 12
• worksheets: 8
• pencils: 8

Teacher tip

Hide the pictures away from walkways and count them as you collect them. All-fours movements are tiring, so alternate fast and slow animals on the sheet.

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