The Ice Cream Line

In three lines in front of three ice cream stands, each child waits their turn, gets a flavor, and travels to the park using that flavor's movement. It builds waiting calmly in line, listening to instructions and respecting order.

How to play

1. Make three lines in front of three ice cream stands (cones); farther away across from each one is another cone, the park (2 min).
2. The first in line orders an ice cream and the server (the teacher) names the flavor: strawberry = jumps, chocolate = giant steps, lemon = tiptoes (1 min).
3. They travel to the park with that movement, come back, high-five the next child and go to the end of the line (5 min).
4. While waiting, we eat a pretend ice cream very slowly without leaving the line (2 min).
5. Now whoever comes back from the park is the server and names the flavor for the next child (2 min).

Rules

• We wait in line without cutting.
• We go when we get a high five.
• When we come back, we go to the end.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the park is closer, and the flavor is an arm or wheelchair movement.
• Visual impairment: mark the route with a rope on the ground and tie a jingle bell to the park cone.
• Autism: show on fingers how many children are ahead before their turn comes.

Learning goals

• Wait for a turn in line.
• Remember an instruction and carry it out.
• Move in different ways and return to your spot.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Cones: 6

Teacher tip

Three lines of eight keep waits short; a single line drives them crazy. The typical mistake is going before the high five, so have returning kids come back with their hand held high.

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