Two Friends Take Me to the Hospital
The teacher is Mr. Sneeze and, when he tags someone, that child sits down feeling sick; two friends come, each takes a hand, and they walk the child to the hospital, a mat, where they get better by counting to five. It works on running with changes of direction and taking care of classmates.
How to play
- The teacher introduces Mr. Sneeze and shows with three kids how to take a sick friend to the hospital (2 min).
- First round: everyone runs, Mr. Sneeze tags with an “Achoo!”, and the tagged child sits saying “Ouch, ouch!” until two friends arrive (3 min).
- Second round: we escape with little hops and the rescuers walk the sick child very slowly (2 min).
- A helper joins Mr. Sneeze; there are more sick kids and we have to watch closely to help (2 min).
- The doctor (the teacher) arrives and cures everyone: we lie down in the hospital, take deep breaths and feel the pulse on our wrists (3 min).
Rules
- If Mr. Sneeze tags me, I sit and wait.
- Two friends take me, one on each hand.
- At the hospital I count to five and go back to play.
- Taking a sick friend means walking, not running.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, one friend holding hands is enough and the hospital is very close.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, two friends and two hospitals at opposite ends of the playground.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, a single hospital, and on the way they have to dodge Mr. Sneeze, who can't tag kids holding hands.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: they're the hospital doctor who cures with a high five, or their wheelchair is the ambulance escorting the sick kids.
- Autism: let them choose to be led by the hand or walked to the hospital side by side.
- Hearing impairment: Mr. Sneeze makes a big sneeze gesture when tagging, and kids ask for help by raising both arms.
Learning goals
- Run with changes of direction.
- Help a classmate who needs it.
- Notice how the body changes after running.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Mats: 2
Teacher tip
Put the mats away from busy paths so nobody trips. At first everyone wants to rescue their best friend, so encourage them to help whoever is closest.
PatioLab has "Two Friends Take Me to the Hospital" and 8714 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
More main activities for Elementary
"Al Pasar la Barca" Parachute Rowing
Sitting around the parachute, children row by pulling the fabric toward them and letting it go toward the middle to the rhythm of the traditional Spanish song "Al pasar…
"Corro de la Patata" Parachute Circle
Children circle with the parachute while singing the traditional Spanish song "Al corro de la patata" (Potato Circle), and on "achupé, achupé" everyone sits down…
"El Patio de Mi Casa" Parachute Song
Children sing the traditional Spanish ring song "El patio de mi casa" while circling with the parachute and lowering it to the ground on "agáchate" (squat down).
"Que Llueva" Parachute Rain
Using the traditional Spanish children's song "Que llueva, que llueva" (Let It Rain), children make rain, clouds and sun with the parachute, and some hide underneath as…
«A la Zapatilla por Detrás»: The Slipper Behind Your Back
Sitting in a circle with eyes covered, one child walks around the outside with a slipper singing the traditional Spanish rhyme «A la zapatilla por detrás» («the…
«A Tapar la Calle»: The Chain That Blocks the Street
Half the class forms a hand-in-hand chain that walks forward singing the traditional Spanish song «A tapar la calle» («Block the street so nobody passes»), while the…