The Ship Rides Out the Storm
Children are the crew of a ship (mats) that goes fishing, meets a storm, keeps its balance, bails out water and sails home. It works balance in different positions and staying calm through a scare.
How to play
- Push several mats together to make the ship. Climb aboard, raise the sails by stretching arms high, and leave the harbor on a calm sea, walking around the deck (2 min).
- Cast the nets and pull them in while sitting, gathering “fish” (balls) the teacher scatters on board (2 min).
- The storm begins: the drum gets loud and the ship rocks. Soft beats, we sway standing with feet apart; strong beats, we drop to hands and knees so we don't fall; thunder (a drum roll), we lie on our tummies holding the mat (4 min).
- Water's coming in! We pick up the “waves” (balls) the teacher tosses aboard and carefully walk them to the buckets on shore (3 min).
- The storm calms down: the drum gets quieter and quieter and the ship rocks slowly side to side, everyone sitting and hugging their knees (2 min).
- Row back to the harbor sitting down, climb off the ship and give each other a brave sailors' hug (2 min).
Rules
- There's room for everyone on the ship: make space for a friend.
- When thunder comes, hold the mat, not your friend.
- Waves go into buckets, we don't throw them.
- If the storm feels scary, you can be the captain watching from the wheel.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, use only two kinds of waves (soft: standing; strong: sitting) and keep the storm short.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, use all three positions (standing, hands and knees, lying down) plus bailing water.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, balance on one foot during soft waves and bail water in pairs, passing the ball before carrying it to the bucket.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the child can be captain at the wheel (a hoop), sitting next to the ship and deciding when thunder comes.
- Autism: preview the storm with a picture and keep the drum quieter; offer a corner of the ship as a calm cabin.
- Hearing impairment: the teacher makes waves with the arms for a calm sea and shakes both arms overhead for thunder.
Learning goals
- Keep balance in different positions on a soft surface.
- Change position on sound signals.
- Stay calm through a scary moment in play.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Floor mats: 6
- Soft balls: 20
- Buckets: 3
- Hand drum: 1
Teacher tip
Butt the mats tightly together with no gaps so no one catches a foot between them. Tell the storm in a low, intense voice rather than shouting: it keeps the excitement without kids getting overwhelmed.
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