The Robot Factory
Children are unfinished robots going through the stations of a factory, where they get a new part “installed” after a movement challenge: bouncy legs, throwing arms, balancing head. At the end, with all their parts, the robots dance together.
How to play
- The teacher shows the factory: the legs station (jump from hoop to hoop), the arms station (throw balls into a hoop), the head station (walk with a scarf on the head between cones) (2 min).
- We're all unfinished robots walking stiffly and beeping; we split into three groups, one at each station (1 min).
- First round: each group does its challenge and, when done, the teacher “screws on” the part with a tap on that body part (3 min).
- Second round: groups switch stations and get another part (3 min).
- Third round: last station, and now the robots have new legs, arms and heads (3 min).
- The finished robots all switch on at once and do a robot dance around the playground, moving every part they earned (3 min).
Rules
- At each station, all the robots play at once; no long lines.
- If a challenge is hard, try again: the factory is in no hurry.
- Switch stations when the teacher's siren sounds.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, very simple challenges (step inside the hoops, drop the ball into the hoop, walk with the scarf in hand), with the teacher helping each group.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, the three challenges as written: hop from hoop to hoop, throw into a hoop from close up and walk with the scarf on the head.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, each station has two levels (hoops farther apart, throwing from farther away), and each robot chooses which to try.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: at the legs station, roll along a path of hoops in the wheelchair; the arms and head stations are done seated.
- Visual impairment: hoops with tape on the edge to feel with the foot, and a sound ball thrown toward a classmate clapping next to the hoop.
- Autism: a board with the three stations drawn on it, marking each earned part with a sticker.
Learning goals
- Complete small movement challenges at stations.
- Practice jumping, throwing and balance.
- Feel a project come together step by step.
Equipment for a class of 25
- aros: 12
- conos: 8
- pelotas: 10
- pañuelos: 10
Teacher tip
Set up the stations before class and put a picture of the robot part at each one. Always use the same signal (a siren with your voice) to switch stations so groups don't race each other.
PatioLab has "The Robot Factory" and 8714 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
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