The Giant Watermelon Rolls to the Picnic

Together, children push a giant watermelon (a big ball) along a path of cones to the picnic blanket without letting it get away. It works on teamwork, controlling the push with the hands and finding the way through space.

How to play

1. The teacher introduces the giant watermelon and the picnic blanket across the playground; we mark the path with cones (1 min).
2. In groups of five, push the watermelon with your hands, everyone touching it, walking slowly between the cones (4 min).
3. Second time with curves: the watermelon must zigzag through without touching the cones (3 min).
4. At the picnic: sit around the blanket and “slice” the pretend watermelon with an arm like a toy knife (2 min).
5. Each child eats a pretend slice, blows out the seeds and we name other fruits we’d like to bring to the picnic (2 min).

Rules

• Push the watermelon with your hands, never your feet.
• Go slowly: if it speeds up, it gets away.
• Everyone in the group keeps a hand on the watermelon.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the child pushes the watermelon from the wheelchair on a flat stretch or guides it with a scarf.
• Autism: explain the path beforehand with a drawing and give the child a fixed spot on the ball.
• Visual impairment: a classmate describes the turns (“now to the right”) and the ball has a bell.

Learning goals

• Work together to move a big object.
• Control how hard you push.
• Find the way along a route.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Giant ball: 1
• Cones: 8
• Blanket: 1

Teacher tip

Use a big, light ball, ideally a little underinflated so it doesn’t roll off on its own. If a group squabbles over spots, draw chalk “handles” around where the ball will go so each child has one.

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