Waiters with a Brick Tray

Each child is a waiter carrying a plastic block like a tray without letting it fall. Children warm up walking at different paces while balancing an object on their body.

How to play

1. Each child takes a block and lays it flat on one palm: it's the tray full of plates (1 min).
2. Walk around the restaurant carrying the tray in one hand, then the other (1 min).
3. The teacher calls orders: “One soup for the window table!” and everyone carries their tray there slowly (1 min).
4. Change where the tray goes: in both hands, on the back of the hand, on top of the head (2 min).
5. The restaurant closes: set the tray down, sit on it and take a few breaths (1 min).

Rules

• If my tray falls, I pick it up and keep going: no big deal.
• Waiters walk, they don't run.
• I watch where I'm going so I don't bump into another waiter.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: a child in a wheelchair carries the tray on their lap or palm while a buddy pushes.
• Less dexterity: use a wider, lighter foam block instead of the agility block.
• Autism: use a single fixed route marked with cones, from the kitchen to the table, repeated several times.

Learning goals

• Keep an object balanced while walking.
• Control walking speed.
• Warm up gently.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Agility blocks: 25

Teacher tip

Give them a waiter phrase to call out (“Coming right up!”) and they'll fully buy into the game. If trays keep falling, remind them to keep eyes on the path and just glance at the tray.

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