Materials
- Ball of red string
- playground equipment
- The Red String by Margot Blair
- 1' lengths of red string, one per child
- box
What to do
1. Prepare the playground ahead of the activity by winding the red string over, under, and around the equipment. Place a box filled with pieces of red string at the end of the obstacle course.
2. Read the story to the children.
3. Invite the children to begin the obstacle course one at a time. Tell the children to keep one hand on the string at all times until they reach the "treasure box."
4. Stand by the treasure box and tie the "prize" (the red string) on each child's right wrist.
5. After all the children have finished the course, enjoy a game of Simon Says. Emphasize the concept of right and left.
6. If desired, create an indoor obstacle course. Construct a 4' x 4' x 6' cube from PVC pipe and connectors. Wind the string spider-web style throughout the box. Each child may either crawl through the box without the string touching her, or may unravel the string with coaching from a team of three friends.
-Susan R. Forbes, Daytona Beach, FL
