The Treasure That Travels With the Circle

A treasure box passes from hand to hand around the circle with a chant, and whoever holds it at the end is the guardian who hides it in the playground; then the whole circle travels, holding hands, to find it. It builds finding your way around a space, moving as a group, and counting-out games that give a role instead of putting someone out.

How to play

1. In a circle, the box with the stuffed animal inside passes hand to hand while we say: "Treasure, treasure, pass it round, pass it slowly, don't put it down; when the song comes to an end, you're the guardian, my friend!" (2 min).
2. Whoever holds the box at the end is the guardian: the circle covers their eyes and counts to ten while the guardian hides it somewhere in plain view in the playground (2 min).
3. The circle, holding hands, travels around the playground looking for the treasure; the guardian walks ahead giving clues: "cold," "warm," "hot" (4 min).
4. When the circle finds the treasure, it circles around it, celebrates with three jumps and passes it again with the chant to choose a new guardian; play two or three more rounds (5 min).
5. The circle carries the treasure back to class, slowly and without letting go, and the last guardian puts it away (2 min).

Rules

• The box gets passed, not thrown.
• If you've been the guardian already, pass the box on even if the chant ends on you.
• We search together holding hands.
• The treasure is hidden in plain view, never up high.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: hide the treasure in reachable places, and a child in a wheelchair can be guardian with help.
• Autism: let the child turn around instead of covering their eyes, and say how many rounds there will be.
• Visual impairment: put a bell in the box and have the guardian shake it when the circle gets close.

Learning goals

• Find your way around the playground by following clues.
• Move as a group without letting go.
• Accept the result of a counting-out game and play your role.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Cardboard box: 1
• Stuffed animal: 1

Teacher tip

Mark the hiding area with cones or by pointing so they don't wander far. Use a big box so it's easy to see; the typical mistake is hiding it so well that the circle gets frustrated.

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