The Forgetful Elf's Clues

Children search the classroom for pouches hidden by a forgetful elf, following spoken spatial clues. They practice understanding on top of, under, inside, behind, and next to, and searching as a team.

How to play

1. The teacher introduces the forgetful elf, who has hidden six bell pouches around the room and can't remember where; it only remembers clues (1 min).
2. The elf "whispers" the first clue to the teacher: "It's under something we sit on," and everyone searches together (3 min).
3. In groups of four, each group gets a different clue: "behind something green," "on top of something soft," "inside something that opens" (6 min).
4. Each group tells the elf where they found it, using the clue word (3 min).
5. The happy elf jingles all the bells and falls asleep on top of the shelf (2 min).

Rules

• I listen to the whole clue before I search.
• I search walking and carefully, without knocking things over.
• If my group finds it, we leave it and call out.
• Each group searches for its own pouch.

Variations

Adaptations

• Visual impairment: the pouches have bells, and the teacher nudges them so they jingle.
• Autism: give the clue with a picture card of the position and the object.
• Hearing loss: the teacher acts out the clue and points to the color or object.

Learning goals

• Understand clues that use position words.
• Search a familiar space in an organized way.
• Cooperate with a group to find something.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Cloth pouches with a large bell sewn on: 6
• Elf doll or stuffed toy: 1

Teacher tip

Hide the pouches before the kids arrive and jot down where each one is so you don't forget too. Use large, firmly sewn bells, no loose parts.

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