Wanna Trade Balls?

Each child walks around with a different ball and, at the signal, finds a classmate, asks “Wanna trade balls?” and swaps before jogging on. It warms up the body while practicing asking, giving and saying thank you.

How to play

1. Everyone takes a ball from the basket (big, small, colorful, spiky) and walks around hugging it (1 min).
2. The teacher says “Market!”: find someone, ask “Wanna trade balls?” and swap, saying thank you (1 min).
3. Keep jogging with the new ball, bouncing it or holding it up high (1 min).
4. Repeat the market several times, each time looking for someone you haven't traded with (1 min).
5. Last round: everyone takes their ball back to the basket walking on tiptoes (1 min).

Rules

• To trade, ask and wait for a “yes.”
• Hand the ball over; don't throw it.
• Say “thank you” when you trade.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: stays in one spot, the “shop,” and classmates come over to trade.
• Autism: the trade can be done silently with an offering gesture; the teacher joins the first few trades.
• Hearing impairment: the “Market!” signal is holding a ball up high.

Learning goals

• Move while carrying an object.
• Ask and offer using kind words.
• Interact with different classmates.

Equipment for a class of 25

• pelotas de varios tamaños: 25

Teacher tip

Mix very different balls in the basket: getting an “odd” one makes kids want to trade. If someone doesn't want to trade, that's respected and you find someone else; say so at the start to avoid grabbing.

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