Invisible Pets

Cut string or yarn into 18”-24” pieces. Pass a string out to each child. Have children hold the string with one hand and drag the other end on the floor. Explain that on the end of their string they have an imaginary pet. Ask children:

• What is your pet?
• What is your pet’s name?
• What does it eat?
• What do you and your pet like to do together?

Hint! Let children draw pictures of their imaginary pets. Put their pictures together to make a class book.

Swat It!

You will need two fly swatters of different colors to play this game. Divide the children into two teams. Write the numbers 1-10 on the chalkboard. Give a fly swatter to one child on each team. Have them come to the front of the room. Call out a math problem. The first child to “swat” (hit) the correct answer on the board gets a point for her team. Those two children then pass the fly swatter to the next friend on their team and the game continues.

Hint! Adapt what you write on the chalkboard to the ability of the children or skills you are working on. For example, you could write numbers 1-20 for older children; write letters or shapes for younger children; write high frequency words, etc.

Another Hint!

   Make mini-fly swatters by stapling a 2” cardboard square to a straw.    Subtract, multiply, etc. with fingers.

Hot Potato

You can use a small ball, bean bag, or stuffed animal for this game. Children sit or stand in a circle. Children begin passing the “hot potato” (ball or bean bag) around the room when the music starts. Explain that it is a “hot potato” and they need to pass it quickly to the next friend. When the music stops, the one holding the “hot potato” is out of the game and must leave the circle. If two children are holding it they are both out. The last child remaining is the winner. Begin the game again.

Hint! You can also play a similar game called “Pass the Parcel” at class parties. Wrap a small toy or book in multiple layers of tissue paper or newspaper. Children pass the “parcel” around the room when the music starts. When the music stops, the one holding the package gets to unwrap a layer. The game continues until the prize is unwrapped.

Have You Seen My Child?

One child is the “detective.” The detective describes a “missing child” (classmate), giving eye color, hair color, description of clothing, likes, etc. The first person to identify the missing child gets to be the new detective.

Hint! Here is another variation of this game. Send the detective out in the hall. Select one child and hide her under your desk or behind a shelf. The detective returns to the classroom and tries to identify the missing child. (You can also let two children exchange seats and see if the detective can spot the switch.)

Download these activity cards:

Invisible Pets /Swat It and Hot Potato/My Child