The Three Pigs' Three Paths

Children travel three paths inspired by the three little pigs' houses: crawling on straw, balancing on sticks and careful stepping on bricks. It builds balance, coordination and confidence with small challenges.

How to play

1. Set up three paths: the straw path (mats to crawl and roll on), the stick path (a low bench to walk or crawl along) and the brick path (blocks in a row to step on one by one). At the end of each is a hoop: the house (2 min).
2. In small groups, each little pig goes along the straw path and arrives home saying “I'm home!”; then walks back around the outside (3 min).
3. Rotate to the stick path and the brick path, with the teacher next to the bench (3 min).
4. Now the wolf (the teacher) wanders around huffing: when he blows hard, all the pigs head for the brick path, the strongest, and cross it together without stepping off (4 min).
5. Finish with everyone inside the brick houses, cuddled up, and the tired wolf goes away (2 min).

Rules

• On each path, one pig behind another, no passing.
• If I fall off the path, I get back on where I was.
• The wolf only blows: nobody is really scared.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: a parallel floor path made with colored tape (straw, sticks, bricks) to travel in a wheelchair.
• Visual impairment: the child goes with a guide buddy and touches each piece of equipment before starting.
• Less confident movers: hold their hand on the bench and leave their blocks flat even if others' are standing.

Learning goals

• Keep balance on different surfaces.
• Coordinate crawling, creeping and walking along a course.
• Take on simple motor challenges with confidence.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Mats: 4
• Low benches: 2
• Foam blocks: 12
• Hoops: 6

Teacher tip

Always have an adult next to the bench and mats along its sides. Use big foam or plastic blocks, nothing that slides.

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