The Hoop Taxi Takes Neighbors Home

In pairs, one child is a taxi driver with a hoop and the other is the passenger riding inside the hoop; the passenger picks a place in town (bakery, school, park, doctor, home) and they travel there together. It builds moving in sync with a partner and choosing routes.

How to play

1. The teacher places five cones, each with a picture card: bakery, school, park, doctor and home. We walk past each one (2 min).
2. Form pairs: the driver steps into the hoop and holds it; the passenger steps in behind and holds on (1 min).
3. The passenger says "Taxi, to the park, please!" and they travel together without either one leaving the hoop (3 min).
4. On arrival, the passenger pays with a high five, then they switch roles (3 min).
5. Change partners and take new trips (2 min).
6. Taxis return to the taxi stand and park (1 min).

Rules

• Both stay inside the hoop the whole ride.
• The driver goes slowly so the passenger doesn't trip.
• We say thank you when we get there.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: a child using a wheelchair is the taxi and the passenger walks alongside holding the hoop, or the other way around.
• Visual impairment: the child rides as a passenger first, guided by the hoop, then drives with spoken directions from the passenger.
• Autism or touch sensitivity: keep a steady partner and use a big hoop so they're not squeezed together.

Learning goals

• Move in sync with a partner.
• Make decisions about where to go and how.
• Look after a partner during the trip.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Hoops: 13
• Cones: 5
• Color cards: 5

Teacher tip

Use big hoops so both fit without stepping on each other. The usual slip is the driver running off and leaving the passenger behind: "the taxi waits for its passenger."

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