Teddy's Tray Sled Ride
Each child seats a stuffed animal on a tray with a pull cord, their sled, and pulls it across a smooth floor, gently making turns and stops without letting it fall off. It builds controlling pulling force, finding the way in space, and caring for something special.
How to play
- Each child sits their stuffed animal on a tray with a cord tied to it: it's their snow sled (1 min).
- Pull the sled slowly around the room, checking now and then that your animal hasn't fallen off (2 min).
- Make turns around the cones, and when the teacher calls "Stop!", brake very gently (3 min).
- Walk backward, pulling the cord with both hands and watching your animal (2 min).
- In pairs, one pulls the sled and the other guides: "Right," "Left," "Stop"; then switch (3 min).
- The animals are home: take them off the sleds and tuck them in (1 min).
Rules
- I pull gently so my animal doesn't fall off.
- I look where I'm going.
- I pull the cord with my hand and never put it around my neck.
- I don't step on other people's cords.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, just walk and stop, and holding the cord short is fine.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, add turns around cones, stops, and walking backward.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, add the partner game, guiding with "right" and "left."
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: tie the cord to the wheelchair armrest so the animal rides along, or pull the cord from the chair.
- Visual impairment: swap the cones for cushions the child can feel with a foot, and pair them with a buddy who guides.
- Autism: let the child use their own stuffed animal from home or their favorite class one, so they want to take care of it.
Learning goals
- Control force when pulling an object.
- Find the way through space with turns and stops.
- Take care of a special object during play.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Trays with a pull cord: 25
- Stuffed animals: 25
- Cones: 8
Teacher tip
Punch a hole in one side of each tray and tie on a cord no longer than about 3 feet with a thick knot. A smooth floor is best; outdoors the trays scrape and tip.
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