The Tow Truck Takes Badly Parked Cars

Children drive around as hoop cars and, when the drum sounds, park wherever they are; some end up parked on a crosswalk, and the tow truck (a pair of friends) gently pulls them by the hoop to the parking lot. It builds pulling strength, teamwork and knowing where not to park.

How to play

1. The teacher draws two crosswalks, a sidewalk and a parking lot in chalk; we explain that no one parks on a crosswalk (2 min).
2. Everyone drives around with their hoop; on the drum beat, each car freezes right where it is (2 min).
3. The teacher picks two tow trucks, who go get any cars stuck on a crosswalk or sidewalk: they hold the hoop and gently pull it to the parking lot while the car walks along (3 min).
4. Repeat with new tow trucks; each new tow truck picks a helper (3 min).
5. At the end, everyone parks properly and the tow truck goes to sleep (2 min).

Rules

• Tow trucks pull gently, no yanking.
• Cars walk along, no sitting down.
• We don't park on crosswalks.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: a child using a wheelchair can be the tow truck who spots badly parked cars and guides them with words.
• Autism: explain that the tow truck isn't a punishment, and let the child be a tow truck before being a car.
• Less strength: use tow trucks of three children pulling together.

Learning goals

• Work together to move a friend.
• Use pulling strength with control.
• Know that we don't park on crosswalks or sidewalks.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Hoops: 25
• Sidewalk chalk: 6
• Hand drum: 1

Teacher tip

Stress that it's a helping game, not a tag game: the tow truck helps clear the street. Only pull on smooth ground, and never drag anyone who is sitting.

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