Stuffed Animal Towel Ambulance

In groups of four, kids hold a towel by the corners and use it as an ambulance to carry "hurt" stuffed animals to the hospital. They work on small-group coordination, caring for others, empathy, and controlled movement.

How to play

1. Scatter the stuffed animals on the floor and put two mats on one side: the hospital. Make groups of four, each with a towel; each child holds one corner.
2. Demonstrate with one group: "Wee-oo!" The ambulance goes to a stuffed animal, lowers to the floor, one child puts it on, and they lift together slowly so it does not fall.
3. They walk the animal to the hospital, set it gently on the mat, and give it a pat. Then they go back for another (4 minutes).
4. When every animal is in the hospital, scatter them again and change the task: tiptoe, walk sideways, or follow a curvy path (4 minutes).
5. On each trip, one child is the doctor: they let go of their corner, walk in front, and guide with "Right, left, stop!" Rotate every trip.
6. Finish by rocking a healed animal in each towel like a hammock while counting slowly to 10 (2 minutes).

Rules

• Ambulances walk, never run.
• Nobody lets go of a corner until the animal is on the mat.
• Treat the stuffed animals with care: no throwing.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the child carries the animal on the lap as an ambulance on wheels.
• Autism: a fixed role helps, like the hospital doctor.
• More skilled groups carry two animals; less skilled groups use five kids.

Learning goals

• Coordinate movement with others to carry an object.
• Show care and empathy for others through pretend play.
• Move while controlling speed and direction.

Equipment for a class of 25

• towels: 5
• rag dolls (or stuffed animals): 12
• mats: 2

Teacher tip

Ask families to send in a stuffed animal from home: motivation goes through the roof. Talk about how we take care of a friend who gets hurt at recess.

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