The Big Ball Goes to Market

Together, children push a giant exercise ball along a path in the playground to the “market,” keeping it from rolling off or getting away. It builds cooperation, pushing with the hands and matching force to the group.

How to play

1. Set up the path with cones and ropes to the market (a corner of the playground) and tell the story: the big ball needs to go shopping (2 min).
2. Groups of 6 around the ball push it with open hands only, walking, to the first cone (3 min).
3. The path has curves: we have to slow it down gently and turn it together (3 min).
4. At the market, the ball “shops” and returns home pushed with another body part: tummies, shoulders, or sitting and pushing with feet (3 min).
5. Switch groups and balls so everyone pushes both (2 min).
6. Closing circle: what was harder, pushing hard or stopping it? (1 min).

Rules

• Push with open hands, never hit.
• If the ball gets away, we stop it together without chasing it.
• Everyone touches the ball; no one takes it alone.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: a child using a wheelchair pushes the ball with their hands from their height or gives the start and stop signal.
• Autism: give the child a set spot around the ball (for example, next to a cone in their color) and preview the route with a drawing.
• Less strength or skill: place the child at the back of the ball, where they push without needing to slow it down.

Learning goals

• Coordinate their own push with their classmates'.
• Move a large object along a path.
• Enjoy reaching a goal as a group.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Giant exercise ball: 2
• Cones: 12
• Jump ropes: 4

Teacher tip

Inflate the ball so it gives a little when squeezed: it won't bounce as much and is easier to stop. A common mistake is everyone pushing from the same side, so spread them around before starting.

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