The Big Bag Gobbles Up the Beanbags
At the end of the session, the big bag is hungry and children tiptoe up one at a time to feed it their beanbag, whispering its color. It brings everyone back to calm, puts the equipment away and practices waiting for a turn.
How to play
- Sit in a circle holding your beanbag and breathe three times (1 min).
- The teacher opens the big bag and tells everyone it's hungry for beanbags (1 min).
- One at a time, tiptoe over, whisper your color and put it in the bag (2 min).
- After feeding the bag, tiptoe back and lie down in your spot (1 min).
- The full bag falls asleep, and so do we for a moment (1 min).
Rules
- I wait until the teacher says my name.
- I tiptoe and talk quietly.
- I put the beanbag inside, no throwing.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, the teacher walks the bag around the circle and each child drops their beanbag in from their spot.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, they go one at a time saying their color.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, they also whisper what they liked best about the session.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the teacher brings the bag to the wheelchair.
- Hearing loss: call the child with a gesture and eye contact, not just their name.
- Autism: they can go first or last, as they prefer, so they know when their turn is.
Learning goals
- Calm down with slow movement.
- Wait for a turn quietly.
- Help put the equipment away.
Equipment for a class of 25
- beanbags: 25
- large cloth bag: 1
- soft music
Teacher tip
If the bag has a "mouth" (a sewn or painted face), 3-year-olds get really into it. Keep the music very low so they have to whisper.
PatioLab has "The Big Bag Gobbles Up the Beanbags" and 8714 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
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