The Caravan Crosses the Desert
In caravans of four camels, children cross the desert: up and down the dunes, under the tent, along the ridge of the dune, over the snakes and tossing coconuts at the oasis palm tree. The oasis is a real water break.
How to play
- The teacher introduces the desert: dunes (folded mats in a row to climb over on all fours), tent (a sheet over four chairs to crawl under), dune ridge (gym bench), snakes (wavy ropes to jump) and oasis (a bucket to toss coconuts into) (2 min).
- The teacher plays the lead camel and walks the course slowly (2 min).
- Caravans of four: the first child is the lead camel and the others follow in a line; at the oasis, each tosses a coconut into the bucket and the caravan starts again with a new leader (5 min).
- Sandstorm! The teacher waves a cloth: everyone crouches, covers their head with their arms and waits; when it passes, the caravan carries on where it was (3 min).
- Oasis stop: sit in the shade and everyone drinks water from their own bottle (2 min).
- Last lap as tired camels, very slow and swaying, back to camp (2 min).
Rules
- The caravan stays together, no passing the leader.
- Under the tent, crawl on tummies or hands and knees without pulling the sheet.
- One camel at a time on the ridge.
- Coconuts go in the bucket, never at camels.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, caravans of two with an adult, a rope on the floor for the ridge, and straight, still snakes.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, caravans of four, the gym bench and wavy snakes.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, hop over the snakes on one foot and carry a coconut along the ridge.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the child can be the lead camel guiding the caravan along the flat route, and tosses from the chair.
- Visual impairment: the camel in front wears a bell on the wrist to follow.
- Autism: warn before the sandstorm and practice it once so it isn't a surprise.
Learning goals
- Link crawling on all fours, belly crawling, balancing, jumping and throwing.
- Move as a group at a leader's pace.
- Connect physical activity with drinking water.
Equipment for a class of 25
- colchonetas: 5
- sábana: 1
- sillas: 4
- banco sueco: 1
- cuerdas: 4
- pelotas: 15
- cubo: 1
- botellas de agua: 25
Teacher tip
Face the tent chairs away from the path and just drape the sheet so no one drags a chair along. Each child brings a water bottle labeled with their name. On hot days, set the oasis in the shade and make the stop longer.
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