The Lighthouse in the Fog
Little boats crawl with eyes closed along a lane of mats toward the lighthouse, which calls them with a "woooo" through a cardboard tube, while classmates sitting on both sides act as rocks that keep them safe. Children practice orienting toward a sound without vision and helping others.
How to play
- Set up a lane of mats; the teacher at the far end shows the lighthouse: a cardboard tube that goes "woooo" (1 min).
- Tell the story: the fog is so thick the little boats can't see anything, so they have to reach the harbor by listening to the lighthouse (1 min).
- Everyone else sits along both sides of the lane: they are the rocks, and if a boat comes close they gently tap its shoulder and say "not this way" (2 min).
- Three boats crawl at a time with eyes closed toward the "woooo"; when they arrive, they touch the lighthouse and open their eyes (3 min).
- Rotate until everyone has been a boat and a rock; the lighthouse moves to a different spot at the end so boats have to turn (3 min).
- The boats dock in the harbor: lying down, we listen to one last very soft "woooo" (2 min).
Rules
- Boats crawl slowly on hands and knees.
- Rocks stay seated and warn with a gentle tap.
- You can open your eyes if you feel scared, then close them again.
Variations
Easier
Age 3: the lighthouse is very close, and children may go with eyes open the first time.
Standard
Age 4: three boats at a time with eyes closed, with the lighthouse in the middle of the far end.
Harder
Age 5: the lighthouse slowly moves from side to side while the boats crawl.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: plays the lighthouse or a rock, or moves forward scooting or in the wheelchair with an adult alongside.
- Hearing impairment: keeps eyes open and the lighthouse also uses a flashlight; with some residual hearing, the lighthouse stands straight in front.
- Autism: can be a rock first to see how it works, then choose whether to close their eyes.
Learning goals
- Orient toward a fixed sound without vision.
- Move on all fours with control.
- Look after classmates with gentle touch.
Equipment for a class of 25
- colchonetas: 6
- tubo de cartón: 1
Teacher tip
Crawling with eyes closed is much safer than walking, so don't skip the mats or the rocks. Keep the "woooo" steady and not too loud so children really have to tune their ears.
PatioLab has "The Lighthouse in the Fog" and 8714 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
More main activities for Elementary
"Al Pasar la Barca" Parachute Rowing
Sitting around the parachute, children row by pulling the fabric toward them and letting it go toward the middle to the rhythm of the traditional Spanish song "Al pasar…
"Corro de la Patata" Parachute Circle
Children circle with the parachute while singing the traditional Spanish song "Al corro de la patata" (Potato Circle), and on "achupé, achupé" everyone sits down…
"El Patio de Mi Casa" Parachute Song
Children sing the traditional Spanish ring song "El patio de mi casa" while circling with the parachute and lowering it to the ground on "agáchate" (squat down).
"Que Llueva" Parachute Rain
Using the traditional Spanish children's song "Que llueva, que llueva" (Let It Rain), children make rain, clouds and sun with the parachute, and some hide underneath as…
«A la Zapatilla por Detrás»: The Slipper Behind Your Back
Sitting in a circle with eyes covered, one child walks around the outside with a slipper singing the traditional Spanish rhyme «A la zapatilla por detrás» («the…
«A Tapar la Calle»: The Chain That Blocks the Street
Half the class forms a hand-in-hand chain that walks forward singing the traditional Spanish song «A tapar la calle» («Block the street so nobody passes»), while the…