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Name of Activity: The Haunted House
Purpose of Activity: To practice dodging, chasing, and fleeing, while enjoying a Halloween-themed game.
Prerequisites: Establishment of boundaries and understanding the concept of being tagged.
Suggested Grade Level: K-2
Materials Needed: pinnies for about two-thirds of the class, cones to mark the Haunted House, 50-75 small bean bags, 4 boxes or buckets to represent trick-or-treat bags
Description of Idea Tell the students that during Halloween last year, the witches, goblins and ghosts captured all of the Halloween treats and brought them to the Haunted House. If there is going to be Halloween this year, they need to get into the Haunted House and take the treats back! The Haunted House is a large circle in the center of the gym, marked with small cones. Inside the haunted house are scattered 50-75 bean bags. A bucket or box is placed in each of the four corners of the gym to represent the trick-or-treat bags. Select 2 or 3 students to be the witches, ghosts and goblins inside the Haunted House, giving them pinnies to wear. Trick-or-treaters must sneak into the house and grab ONE piece of candy (beanbag) at a time and get out. Once they escape they bring it back to the trick-or-treat bag in one of the corners of the gym (bucket or box). When students inside the house get tagged by a witch, ghost or goblin, they must walk over to the teacher and get a pinny. They now become a witch, ghost or goblin and help tag the others. The game continues until all the candy has been recovered or until most the trick-or-treaters have been caught. At the end of the game, talk about Halloween safety, such as inspecting the candy or treats, traveling with others only on well-lit streets, and wearing reflective tape on costumes.
Variations: The theme can be changed to a "harvest" theme.
Assessment Ideas: At the end of class, discuss how some students were able to escape the witches, ghosts and goblins. Ask the students what they did to avoid getting tagged.
Adaptations for Students with Disabilities: Students with disabilities can be paired off with other students who can assist them in the process. Students in wheelchairs can be in charge of the trick-or-treat bags and can organize the candy to be inspected by the teacher.
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