Switch Chairs If You…

Sitting in a circle, the teacher calls “Switch chairs if you're wearing something blue,” and those children cross the circle to sit in another empty chair; since there's a chair for everyone, nobody is left without a seat. It works on attention, quick decision-making and getting to know each other.

How to play

1. Chairs in a circle facing in, one per child and one for the teacher (1 min).
2. The teacher gives a simple call: “Switch if you have long hair,” and those children walk to find another empty chair (3 min).
3. Calls that move lots of kids: “if you have a brother or sister,” “if you had milk for breakfast,” “if your shoes have Velcro” (3 min).
4. Change how we cross the circle: on tiptoe, like penguins, or very slowly like turtles (2 min).
5. Children take turns giving the call, and the teacher switches too when it applies (2 min).
6. Finish with “Everybody switch” very slowly and sit down quietly (1 min).

Rules

• If it's me, I get up and find another empty chair.
• If it's still me next time, I can't go back to the same chair.
• I walk inside the circle, no running.
• If two of us reach the same chair, the first one sits and the other finds another.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: keeps a fixed spot and, when it's their turn, trades something small (a scarf on their lap) with a classmate.
• Autism: let them know ahead which calls might apply to them and give them the spot next to the teacher.
• Hearing impairment: the teacher points to what they're naming (hair, shoes, shirt) and sits facing the child.

Learning goals

• Decide quickly whether a call applies to them.
• Move through a space with others without bumping.
• Learn things about classmates.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Chairs: 25

Teacher tip

In the 5-year-old version, whoever is left standing isn't out: they get the honor of giving the next call. Make the circle big enough to cross through the middle.

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