The Tractor and Its Trailers
In small groups, one child is the tractor and the others hold on by the shoulders as trailers, driving through the garden paths. Kids practice matching their pace to their friends and taking turns leading.
How to play
- The teacher plays the tractor with two kids holding on behind, hands on shoulders, and shows how it starts with a "Vroom!" (1 min).
- In groups of four or five, the front tractor drives slowly along the paths between beds and the trailers follow (1 min).
- The teacher calls "Uphill!" (slow, strong steps) or "Downhill!" (tiny, quick steps) (1 min).
- "Switch tractors!": the front child moves to the back and the next one drives (1 min).
- "Unload!": trailers let go, walk around one bed on their own, and hook onto a different tractor (1 min).
- All the tractors park in the garage (the circle) and turn off their engines with a big puff (1 min).
Rules
- Hands on shoulders, no pushing.
- The tractor goes slowly so nobody gets unhooked.
- Everyone gets a turn to drive.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, make tractors of two (one tractor, one trailer) and always walk.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, use groups of four with tractor switches and hills.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, use groups of five and the tractor makes tight turns around the beds.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the child in the wheelchair is the tractor and the others hook on behind, or a trailer walks beside them holding hands.
- Autism: let the child choose to be the last trailer with a familiar friend in front.
- Visual impairment: the child rides as a trailer behind a buddy who calls out the turns.
Learning goals
- Warm up by walking in a group at different speeds.
- Match your own pace to your friends'.
- Take turns leading and following.
Teacher tip
No garden? Use cones to mark pretend beds with wide paths between them. The usual mistake is the tractor running, so keep reminding them that "tractors are slow and strong."
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