Pulling the Giant Turnip Together

Acting out the folktale of the giant turnip, children form a seated chain and pull a rope all together until the turnip “comes out.” It builds arm strength, group coordination and the idea that even the smallest helper counts.

How to play

1. The teacher tells the folktale of the giant turnip: Grandpa couldn't pull it up, so he called Grandma, the granddaughter, the dog, the cat and the mouse. Make the turnip from a rolled-up sheet tied to the rope; the teacher holds the other end (2 min).
2. Sitting on the mats, the first child (Grandpa) pulls the rope: “Pull and pull, but the turnip won't come out!” (2 min).
3. Call in more characters: each one sits behind and holds the waist or shoulders of the child in front, and everyone pulls together chanting the rhyme (4 min).
4. When the mouse (the last child) joins, the teacher slowly lets go and everyone tips gently back onto the mats: “Out came the turnip!” (2 min).
5. Repeat with different children in each role, and at the end share the turnip: everyone hugs the sheet (3 min).

Rules

• We pull sitting down, never standing.
• We hold our friend's waist or shoulders, not their clothes or neck.
• We pull when everyone says “Go!”

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the child in a wheelchair (brakes on) is Grandpa who pulls first, or holds the rope with the teacher.
• Hearing impairment: signal “pull” with a raised hand dropping down quickly.
• Autism: let the child choose their spot in the chain; the end usually feels better than the middle.

Learning goals

• Use strength in coordination with the group.
• Fall backward in a controlled way.
• Value everyone's part, including the smallest.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Large sheet or cloth: 1
• Thick rope: 1
• Mats: 4

Teacher tip

The teacher always controls the force: let go very slowly so the fall is soft. Never pull standing up or with the rope wrapped around wrists or bodies.

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