Say Hi and Turn Around
Children stroll all around the space, and whenever they meet a classmate face to face, they say hi and turn to head off in another direction. It works on changing direction and dodging while building a friendly group feeling.
How to play
- The teacher shows the greeting: we stop in front of a friend, give a gentle high five and say "Hi!" (1 min).
- We walk all around the space looking where we're going, without following anyone (1 min).
- When I meet someone face to face, I say hi and turn the other way to keep walking (2 min).
- Now we walk a little faster and say hi with an elbow bump or a foot tap (1 min).
- We stop, and each child names a friend they said hi to (1 min).
Rules
- Say hi gently.
- After saying hi, turn and take a new path.
- Don't follow the same person the whole time.
- If there's an empty spot, head toward it.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, walk slowly and the teacher helps them turn by pointing to an open spot.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, they change the greeting when the teacher calls it: high five, elbow or foot.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, after each greeting they turn to the side the teacher calls, right or left, with a sticker on one hand to help.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: in a wheelchair, classmates come over to say hi and they do the turning; keep wide lanes open.
- Autism: they can say hi with a no-touch gesture, like a wave.
- Visual impairment: they walk holding hands with a guide classmate and greet whoever comes up and says their name.
Learning goals
- Change direction when meeting a classmate.
- Move all over the space without bumping.
- Greet and get to know classmates.
Teacher tip
This is a great warm-up for the start of the school year. If everyone ends up walking in a circle, stop and point to the empty corners: "Who's going to walk over there?"
PatioLab has "Say Hi and Turn Around" and 8714 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
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