The Scarf-Hitch Train

Children form little trains linked by scarves that keep hitching together until they become one giant train that never breaks apart. It warms up the body and teaches kids to move at their friends' pace so no one gets left behind.

How to play

1. In groups of three, each train car holds the end of the scarf of the child in front; the teacher shows how to hold on without yanking (1 min).
2. The three-car trains ride around the playground; the engine stops and starts with a “choo-choo!” and the cars copy it (1 min).
3. The teacher calls “Hitch up!” and each train joins another with a scarf, making trains of six (1 min).
4. The long trains take gentle curves and go through the tunnel of the teacher's arms (1 min).
5. If a scarf comes loose, the whole train stops and calls “Lost car!” until it hooks back on (1 min).
6. Last hitch: one giant train with the whole class rolls slowly into the station and lets off steam, “Psssh!” (1 min).

Rules

• I hold the scarf without pulling.
• If my train breaks, we all stop and wait.
• The engine goes slowly so nobody lets go.
• When I hear “Hitch up!”, we find another train.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: their car can be the engine so the train moves at their pace, or the teacher pushes their wheelchair as part of the train.
• Autism: offer a scarf in their favorite color and keep them next to the same buddy every time.
• Visual impairment: they ride in the middle with a scarf in front and behind, and the child ahead announces the curves.

Learning goals

• Move while matching the group's speed.
• Warm up the body at the start of the session.
• Look out for classmates so nobody is left behind.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Scarves: 25

Teacher tip

Hand out the scarves already sorted into groups of three to save time. The usual problem is an engine that runs: give that child the job of “checking that everyone is still hooked on.”

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