The Shoulder-Load Train

Children form four-car trains and each car carries a beanbag on its shoulder; the train travels around the playground stopping at stations (hoops) to load or unload cargo without dropping anything. It works balancing an object on the shoulder, moving to a shared rhythm and cooperation.

How to play

1. Each child walks alone with a beanbag on their shoulder, like a single train car (2 min).
2. Form trains of four with the free hand on the waist of the child in front (2 min).
3. The train moves to the drum: slow, faster, slow (3 min).
4. Stop at a station: each car drops its beanbag in the hoop and picks up another (3 min).
5. Switch shoulders and change engines (3 min).
6. The train reaches the last station and unloads everything very slowly (1 min).

Rules

• The beanbag rides on my shoulder, no holding it.
• If someone's falls, the whole train waits.
• The engine goes slowly so no one lets go.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the child in a wheelchair is the engine or a car with the beanbag on the shoulder, pushed by a classmate.
• Visual impairment: they ride in the middle of the train with both hands on the child in front, beanbag in the lap if preferred.
• Autism: they can always have the same spot on the train, for example the caboose.

Learning goals

• Balance an object on the shoulder.
• Match their pace to classmates'.
• Wait and help when someone has a problem.

Equipment for a class of 25

• beanbags: 25
• hoops: 4
• hand drum: 1

Teacher tip

The "if one falls, the whole train waits" rule changes the whole game: they stop rushing and look after each other. Be the engine yourself the first time to set a slow pace.

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