Rescue My Stuffed Animal Down My Lane
Each child has a stuffed animal at the end of their lane and, in short side-by-side races, sets off at the whistle to rescue it and carry it home in a hug. It practices sprinting in a straight line and starting on a signal, with no winners: everyone rescues.
How to play
- Lay jump ropes on the ground to make 5 lanes about 25 feet long; each child places their stuffed animal at the end of a lane and returns to the start (2 min).
- Tell the story: the stuffed animals are stuck on an island and scared; we go get them as soon as the ship's whistle blows (1 min).
- Five at a time, standing and looking at their stuffed animal: at the whistle they run, grab it and run back hugging it (3 min).
- The animals go back to the island; repeat starting from sitting and then squatting, switching lanes (3 min).
- Final rescue: everyone in a line, one after another down the lanes, and at the end we tell our stuffed animals all about the trip (2 min).
Rules
- I run in my lane without stepping on the ropes.
- I go when the whistle blows.
- I carry my stuffed animal in a hug, no throwing.
- We all rescue: there's no first or last.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, use 16-foot lanes and the teacher runs alongside cheering.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, use 25-foot lanes and start from standing, sitting and squatting.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, they walk back slowly backward so the animal doesn't get dizzy, or go around a cone before grabbing it.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: a child in a wheelchair gets a wide lane, and their stuffed animal sits on a table at hand height.
- Visual impairment: the teacher claps from the end of the lane, and the stuffed animal has a securely sewn bell.
- Autism: always the same lane and stuffed animal; show a picture of the whistle before it blows.
Learning goals
- Run in a straight line at top speed over short distances.
- Start on a sound signal from different positions.
- Enjoy running without comparing oneself to others.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Stuffed animals: 25
- Jump ropes: 6
- Whistle: 1
Teacher tip
Ask families to send stuffed animals the day before and keep a few spares. Avoid comparing who got there first: only comment on how well each animal is being hugged.
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