Two by Two onto the Boat
It won't stop raining, and the animals must board a big boat made of mats in pairs, both moving the same way: two bears, two kangaroos, two snakes. It works on imitating animals and coordinating movement with a partner.
How to play
- The teacher says a big rain is coming and builds the boat by pushing mats together in the middle; partners hold hands (2 min).
- Each pair picks an animal and practices moving the same way: two bears, two frogs, two crabs, two kangaroos, two snakes... (3 min).
- The drum sounds (the rain) and pairs head to the boat side by side as their animal and sit down together inside (3 min).
- The boat sails: sitting, we all rock left and right with the waves, gently at first and then in a storm (2 min).
- The sun comes out, pairs get off the boat, choose a new animal and board again (3 min).
- A rainbow appears: we climb off slowly and each pair says goodbye with their animal sound (1 min).
Rules
- My partner and I are the same animal and we go together.
- If my partner is slower, I wait.
- There's room on the boat for every animal.
- In the storm, I rock but I don't push.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, every pair does the same animal the teacher calls, holding hands.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, each pair picks and coordinates their own animal.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, pairs board without saying their animal and the passengers must guess it before making room.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the partner adapts the animal to how the child moves (two snakes, two birds with flapping arms), and the boat has an accessible spot on the edge.
- Hearing loss: rain is signaled by wiggling fingers downward as well as the drum.
- Autism: pair them with a trusted classmate and keep the same partner the whole game.
Learning goals
- Imitate how different animals move.
- Coordinate their movement with a partner's.
- Share a small space with care.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Mats: 6
- Hand drum: 1
Teacher tip
The boat needs to be big enough for everyone to sit without squishing; if you don't have enough mats, outline it with ropes. Pairs drift apart as soon as one speeds up; pause and ask “Where's your other bear?”
PatioLab has "Two by Two onto the Boat" and 8714 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
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