The Camel, Horse and Elephant Parade
Inspired by Spain’s Three Kings parade on January 5, three groups march behind their king pretending to be a camel, a horse or an elephant, and at each stop they toss paper “candy” for everyone to collect. It works different ways of traveling and group rhythm in a community celebration.
How to play
- Explain that in Spain many towns hold a big Three Kings parade with floats and candy, and form three groups; the leader of each line wears a colored scarf as a cape (2 min).
- Practice the three walks together: camel with a rounded back and long steps, galloping horse and stomping elephant with an arm for a trunk (3 min).
- Parade: with the music, each group follows its king around the playground route using its animal walk (3 min).
- Candy stop: the kings toss the paper balls up in the air and everyone, from every group, collects them and puts them in the baskets (3 min).
- Switch animals and kings, passing the cape to the next child, and parade again (3 min).
- The animals go back to the stable: walk slowly, sit down and rest (1 min).
Rules
- Follow your king without passing them.
- Toss candy up high, never at faces.
- The candy we collect goes in the basket, for everyone.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, everyone parades together behind the teacher and switches animals at the same time.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, three groups with their own animal and rotating kings.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, the king changes direction along the route and the group must keep its line and walk.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: a child in a wheelchair can be king and lead the parade at their own pace, with the cape over their shoulders.
- Hearing loss: announce the candy stop by holding a basket up high.
- Autism: keep a fixed group with a familiar buddy and play the music softly.
Learning goals
- Travel by imitating different animals with coordination.
- Stay in line and follow a leader.
- Learn about a community tradition from Spain.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Scarves: 3
- Paper balls: 40
- Baskets: 3
- Music
Teacher tip
Make the paper balls big and tightly packed so no one puts them in their mouth. Some families don’t celebrate Three Kings Day; present it as a street parade everyone can watch and enjoy, much like a holiday parade in your town.
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