The Giant Playground Puzzle

A picture the class painted on a big piece of cardboard has been cut into twelve pieces hidden around the playground; children find them, carry them together and put them back together on the ground. It works on finding their way in space and solving a challenge as a team.

How to play

1. The teacher shows a photo of the whole picture and explains that it broke into pieces that are hidden around the playground (2 min).
2. We go looking for pieces, moving like the animal the teacher calls: cats, crabs, kangaroos (2 min).
3. Big pieces are carried by two or three kids, each holding one side (3 min).
4. We place the pieces on the ground together, asking “Which one goes next to this?” (3 min).
5. The teacher mixes up the puzzle and hides it again; we repeat with a new way of moving (2 min).
6. We lie around the finished puzzle and talk about what we see in it (2 min).

Rules

• Big pieces are carried by several kids.
• When I find a piece, I call a friend to help bring it.
• Everyone helps place pieces, taking turns.
• We walk on the ground, not on the puzzle.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the pieces near their spot are theirs, and they direct the assembly from the edge of the puzzle.
• Autism: give them a piece with a familiar sticker and show them on the photo where it goes.
• Visual impairment: pieces with glued-on textures (sandpaper, felt) and a classmate who describes the picture.

Learning goals

• Find their way in space to locate and place pieces.
• Carry large objects together.
• Solve a shared challenge.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Large cardboard pieces: 12
• Cones: 4

Teacher tip

Make the puzzle from a big cardboard box the class painted the day before: it's theirs and they'll be excited. Cut simple shapes without sharp points, and mark the puzzle area with four cones.

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