The Sun Is Hot! Run to the Shade
Children move around the playground with their sun hats on, and when the teacher calls “The sun is hot!” they run to take cover inside a hoop “shade.” It warms up the body before water play and teaches kids to look for shade on hot days.
How to play
- Sitting in the shade, we put on our hats, take a sip of water, and the teacher shows the hoops scattered on the ground: they are “beach umbrellas” (1 min).
- We stroll around like we're walking to the beach, with big steps and swinging arms (1 min).
- When the teacher calls “The sun is hot!”, everyone runs into a hoop; several kids can share, nobody stays out (1 min).
- We repeat with new ways to move: on tiptoe because “the sand is burning,” with little hops, or on all fours like crabs (1 min).
- The teacher takes away a few hoops and we have to share: we squeeze together and make room for whoever arrives (1 min).
- We walk slowly to the real shade, fix our hats, and take a deep breath (1 min).
Rules
- My hat stays on.
- There's room for everyone under the umbrella: I make space.
- I look where I'm running so I don't bump into anyone.
- When the teacher says “stroll,” I step out of the hoop.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, lots of hoops and just walking and running; the teacher guides anyone who gets lost.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, add the different ways to move (tiptoe, hops, crab) and remove some hoops.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, the teacher calls a color and only umbrellas of that color count.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: touching the hoop with a hand or wheel counts; a friend can bring a hoop closer if needed.
- Autism: preview with a picture of the sun and the umbrella, and give a heads-up before removing hoops so the change isn't a surprise.
- Hearing impairment: the teacher raises a fan or a yellow disc as the “sun” while saying the cue.
Learning goals
- Warm up with varied ways of moving.
- Share a small space with others.
- Connect hot sun with seeking shade and protecting ourselves.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Hoops: 12
- Sun hats: 25
Teacher tip
Do this warm-up early or late in the day, never at midday, and check beforehand that everyone has sunscreen and a hat. Kids often fight over one particular hoop: stress that all the umbrellas are the same.
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