The Garden Wheelbarrow
In a pretend garden, one child is a wheelbarrow walking on their hands while a partner gently holds them at the knees to deliver “pumpkins” (balls) to the basket. It builds arm and core strength and teaches kids to take care of a classmate who trusts them.
How to play
- In a circle, the teacher demonstrates with a 5-year-old: hands on the floor, the partner holds them at the knees (never the feet), and they walk two or three very slow steps (2 min).
- Practice without a load on the mats: the wheelbarrow says “Ready!” when set and “Down!” when tired, and the holder lowers their knees gently to the floor (3 min).
- Each wheelbarrow delivers a pumpkin: the ball goes beside the pair, and at the cone about 10 feet away, the wheelbarrow rests and the partner puts the ball in the basket (3 min).
- Switch roles: the holder now becomes the wheelbarrow (3 min).
- Switch partners: everyone finds a new classmate and they make two more trips, one each (3 min).
- The gardeners sit down, shake out their arms, and count together how many pumpkins are in the basket (1 min).
Rules
- I hold my wheelbarrow at the knees, never the feet.
- The wheelbarrow is the boss: when they say “Down!” I lower their legs slowly.
- We walk, no racing.
- When we finish, we switch jobs.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, a pretend wheelbarrow: they bear-walk on hands and feet next to a partner who carries the pumpkin.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, the partner holds the thighs close to the knees, and they travel just 3–6 feet on the mat.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, hold at the knees, travel about 10 feet with a rest halfway, and switch partners every trip.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the child is the head gardener, places the pumpkins in the basket, and says “Go!” for each wheelbarrow.
- Less arm strength: the child does the wheelbarrow with knees on the floor (on all fours) while the partner just walks alongside.
- Autism: let the child choose to be the wheelbarrow or only the holder, and use a picture to signal partner switches.
Learning goals
- Strengthen arms, shoulders, and core.
- Take care of a partner by respecting their stop signals.
- Work together to finish a simple task.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Cones: 6
- Soft balls: 15
- Baskets: 3
- Mats: 6
Teacher tip
Do this on mats or grass and stay close to the more impulsive pairs. The common mistake is lifting the legs too high: the knees should be at the holder's hip height, no higher.
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