The Cloud That Travels With the Wind
The circle is a cloud that travels around the playground following the wind (a scarf) and changes with the weather: it squeezes in when it rains, opens wide in the sun and spins in a storm. It builds moving as a group, opening and closing the circle, and pretend play.
How to play
- Standing in a circle holding hands, the teacher explains that we're a cloud and the scarf is the wind that carries us (1 min).
- The teacher walks slowly around the playground waving the scarf and the cloud follows without letting go, steering around trees and benches (3 min).
- The wind brings weather: "Rain!", the circle squeezes in tight and we make rain with our fingers; "Sunshine!", it opens wide; "Storm!", a quick, short spin (3 min).
- A child takes the scarf and becomes the wind: they lead the cloud anywhere and call out the weather; the scarf passes to two or three more children (3 min).
- "The cloud breaks up!": let go and float around as little clouds; on "come together!", make the circle again (1 min).
- The cloud settles on the mountain: sit in a circle and blow softly so the wind goes away (1 min).
Rules
- The cloud stays together: nobody pulls.
- The wind goes slowly so the cloud can follow.
- In a storm, we spin a little and stop.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, the teacher is always the wind and the cloud travels holding hands only for short trips.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, children take turns as the wind and choose rain, sunshine or storm.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, add "fog" (move very slowly with eyes almost closed) and "rainbow" (the circle stretches into an arch).
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: a child in a wheelchair can be the wind, or travel in the cloud along smooth paths.
- Autism: preview the four kinds of weather with pictures and give a warning before "the cloud breaks up."
- Visual impairment: the child holds hands with two classmates who say what the weather is and where we're going.
Learning goals
- Move as a group, matching pace with others.
- Open, close and spin the circle following a pretend cue.
- Act out weather with the body.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Large scarf: 1
Teacher tip
Check the playground first and pick a route with no curbs or steps. If the wind goes too fast, tell them "today's wind is a gentle breeze."
PatioLab has "The Cloud That Travels With the Wind" and 8714 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
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