The Market Shopping List

Children go to the neighborhood market with a picture shopping list, visit the stalls (hoops holding gear that stands for fruit, bread or fish) and bring home what’s on the list; then they take a turn as stall keepers. It builds memory, decision-making and varied locomotor skills.

How to play

1. The teacher shows the stalls: fruit (balls), bakery (beanbags), fish (cones), and how to travel to each one: walking, hopping or crawling (2 min).
2. Each child gets a picture card, looks at it, leaves it at home and goes with a basket to the right stall (3 min).
3. Two-item list: a card with two pictures; remember both and bring them in one trip (3 min).
4. Switch roles: half stand at the stalls as stall keepers handing out items with “Here you go!” and “Thank you!”, half shop (3 min).
5. Switch again: shoppers become stall keepers (2 min).
6. Return everything to the stalls so the market can open tomorrow (1 min).

Rules

• I look at my list and leave it at home before I go.
• No running in the market: travel the way the stall says.
• I say please and thank you.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: stalls on smooth ground; the child always travels in the wheelchair and the stall keeper hands over the item.
• Autism: the child can keep the card in the basket instead of leaving it at home.
• Hearing impairment: each stall has a big sign showing the picture and how to travel there.

Learning goals

• Remember a short sequence.
• Choose the right route and stall.
• Get to know the market as part of the community.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Picture cards: 25
• Baskets: 12
• Hoops: 4
• Balls: 20
• Beanbags: 20
• Cones: 20

Teacher tip

The cards take minutes to make: big, clear drawings. Kids usually carry the card along; insist on look, leave, remember. No one goes home empty-handed: if they’re unsure, they ask the stall keeper.

More main activities for Elementary