Tidy Up Before the Sand Runs Out
The playground is full of messy toys, and the whole group has to put them back in their boxes before the sand timer runs out. It works on organizing yourself in time and working together for a shared goal.
How to play
- Scatter the balls, scarves and hoops around the playground; set three boxes on one side, each with a picture (ball, scarf, hoop) (2 min).
- Practice round with no timer: everyone walks one toy at a time to its box (2 min).
- Flip the sand timer: put everything away before it runs out! At the end, count together what's still out (2 min).
- The teacher makes a mess again and we try a new way: hopping on one foot, in pairs holding the toy together, or carrying it on our heads (3 min).
- Final round: can we beat the sand? If there's sand left, we dance until it's gone (2 min).
- Sit by the boxes and talk about what helped us finish in time (1 min).
Rules
- I carry one toy at a time.
- Every toy goes in its own box.
- If a friend drops something, I help.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, one box for everything and the teacher calls out “Half left!”
Standard
For 4-year-olds, three boxes for sorting and a 3-minute timer.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, the group makes a plan first (who carries what) and tests whether it helps them finish sooner.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: is in charge of one box and receives the toys others bring, or carries toys on their lap in the wheelchair.
- Autism: explain ahead of time that the mess comes back after every round so seeing the toys on the floor again isn't upsetting.
- Higher skill: carry the toy with a harder way of moving (jumps, crawling).
Learning goals
- Pace work to a visible amount of time.
- Cooperate to reach a group goal.
- Travel while carrying objects.
Equipment for a class of 25
- 3-minute plastic sand timer: 1
- Foam balls: 20
- Scarves: 15
- Hoops: 6
- Large boxes: 3
Teacher tip
Set the timer up high where it can be seen from the whole playground. Kids tend to hug a pile of balls and drop them, so the one-at-a-time rule fixes that and gets them moving more.
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