The Four Keys to the Playground Chest
The playground treasure chest is tied shut with four colored ribbons, and each key is hidden at the end of a challenge: the bridge, the puddle path, the cave and the soft mountain. Groups rotate through all four stations, find their key at each one and open the chest together.
How to play
- Set up four stations: a low balance bench (bridge), hoops in a row (puddles), a tunnel under two tables (cave) and mats (mountain); hide four keys in the station's color at the end of each (2 min).
- In a circle, the teacher shows the chest with its four ribbons and demonstrates each station (2 min).
- In four groups, each starts at a station, goes through it as many times as they like and then searches for one key for their group (3 min).
- At the drum signal, groups rotate to the next station until they've done all four (6 min).
- With four keys per group, gather around the chest: each group unties one ribbon and you open it together (inside is a song or a surprise you prepared) (2 min).
- Celebrate the treasure by dancing and stretching arms and legs (1 min).
Rules
- At each station we go one at a time, leaving space.
- Each group takes only one key per station.
- We open the chest together.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, keep stations very simple (walk along a line on the floor, step from hoop to hoop, crawl under a table, roll on the mat) and the teacher goes with the groups.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, use a floor-level balance bench, two-footed jumps through the hoops, belly crawling through the cave and log rolls on the mat.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, cross the bench with a beanbag on the head, hop through the hoops on one foot and do a forward roll on the mat with the teacher beside them.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: each station has an adapted version (rolling the wheelchair along a rope path, pushing hoops by hand) and the key is within reach.
- Visual impairment: the course has few level changes, the child goes with a buddy guide and the keys have bells.
- Autism: show a poster of the four stations in order beforehand and always use the same change signal.
Learning goals
- Practice balance, jumping, crawling and rolling in a circuit.
- Reach a shared goal as a group.
- Respect turns and space at each station.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Large cardboard keys: 16
- Cardboard box: 1
- Low balance bench: 1
- Hoops: 6
- Mats: 2
- Tables: 2
Teacher tip
Put mats under and around the bench, and have an adult at the rolling station. Groups often grab several keys, so count “one key per group” together before starting.
PatioLab has "The Four Keys to the Playground Chest" and 8714 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
More main activities for Elementary
"Al Pasar la Barca" Parachute Rowing
Sitting around the parachute, children row by pulling the fabric toward them and letting it go toward the middle to the rhythm of the traditional Spanish song "Al pasar…
"Corro de la Patata" Parachute Circle
Children circle with the parachute while singing the traditional Spanish song "Al corro de la patata" (Potato Circle), and on "achupé, achupé" everyone sits down…
"El Patio de Mi Casa" Parachute Song
Children sing the traditional Spanish ring song "El patio de mi casa" while circling with the parachute and lowering it to the ground on "agáchate" (squat down).
"Que Llueva" Parachute Rain
Using the traditional Spanish children's song "Que llueva, que llueva" (Let It Rain), children make rain, clouds and sun with the parachute, and some hide underneath as…
«A la Zapatilla por Detrás»: The Slipper Behind Your Back
Sitting in a circle with eyes covered, one child walks around the outside with a slipper singing the traditional Spanish rhyme «A la zapatilla por detrás» («the…
«A Tapar la Calle»: The Chain That Blocks the Street
Half the class forms a hand-in-hand chain that walks forward singing the traditional Spanish song «A tapar la calle» («Block the street so nobody passes»), while the…