Trading Day in the Town Square

Each child has a stall (a hoop) with beanbags of one color and hops from stall to stall, trading one of theirs for a different color, until they collect every color. It works decision making, taking turns while bargaining and hopping between places.

How to play

1. Set up the stalls in small groups: each hoop holds beanbags of one color only (2 min).
2. Practice how to trade: "Will you trade me a red for a blue?" "Sure, here!" (2 min).
3. Head out with one beanbag and hop to another stall to trade it (3 min).
4. Return to your hoop with the new beanbag and head out again with another (3 min).
5. When you have one of each color, sit down at your stall (2 min).
6. Show your collection and tell who you traded with (2 min).

Rules

• I say please and wait my turn at the stall.
• I trade one for one, no grabbing.
• I hop from one stall to the next.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: their stall is in the middle and classmates come to trade; they decide what to accept.
• Autism: a picture card of the trading phrase they can use instead of speaking.
• Hearing loss: trade by showing the beanbag offered and pointing to the one wanted.

Learning goals

• Make choices about what to trade.
• Take turns and ask politely.
• Hop from place to place.

Equipment for a class of 25

• beanbags: 30
• hoops: 6

Teacher tip

At first, have an adult or older child stay at each stall as the seller; otherwise everyone leaves at once and the stalls sit empty. Make it clear nobody wins; the fun is completing the collection.

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