Activity
Play Traffic Cop
Your child and his friends will have a blast taking turns playing the role of a traffic cop with this fun Labor Day version of the classic game Red Light, Green Light. It's a good way to celebrate the hard working officers that protect our communities. Kids will recreate the directions of a traffic light and organize a group race. Whoever makes it to the finish line first while obeying the rules of the road is the winner!
Grade
Subject
HolidaysLabor Day Offline gamesOutdoor Games Arts & craftsConstruction & SculpturePaper & Glue Crafts
Thank you for your input.
What You Need:
- Game participants (at least 3)
- Red, yellow and green construction paper
- Straws, or popsicle sticks
- Glue, or stapler
- Black marker
- Medium bowl for tracing
- Scissors
What You Do:
- Gather several of your kid's friends (or family members).
- Ask your child and his friends why there are traffic officers. They should know that they help people follow the laws so that people don't get hurt. Explain to your child that when traffic lights break down, or during special events where there's a lot of traffic, officers oftentimes direct traffic so that people don't get into car accidents.
- Then, ask the kids what colors can be found in a traffic light. (They should identify the colors red, yellow and green.) Make sure they understand what each color means.
- Have them trace the bowl, opening side down, on each color of paper.
- Cut out the circles and write what the colors indicate when referring to a traffic signal (Red = Stop, Yellow = Slow, Green = Go!).
- Attach the circles to either popsicle sticks with glue, or to straws with a stapler.
- Ideally, this game should be played outside in as big a space as possible. Line the kids up at the end of a driveway, long side of the yard, or on the far wall of a large, open room. Choose one to be the first traffic cop. Instruct the "cop" to hold all three signs at the opposite side of the room, or farthest point away from the group of game participants.
- Explain to the participants that they must follow the traffic cops directions.
- Tell the "cop" to hold up one of the signs. As soon as the sign goes up, the group of kids must follow the action of the sign. When the sign changes, they must rapidly obey the new signal or the traffic cop will send them back to the starting line. (It's your job to monitor this component of the game.) The child that reaches the traffic cop first becomes the traffic cop for the next round and the game begins again.
- Play until each child has the opportunity to be a traffic officer.
Related learning resources
Traffic Stop Connect the Dots
Worksheet
Traffic Stop Connect the Dots
Help this friendly traffic monkey find his sign by connecting the dots from 1-10.
preschool
Math
Worksheet
Traffic Playboard #1
Worksheet
Traffic Playboard #1
...For another engineering play challenge, try Traffic Playboard #2!
traffic, traffic laws, teach traffic laws, cut and paste, traffic scene...
kindergarten
Arts & crafts
Worksheet
Play Food: Sandwiches
Worksheet
Play Food: Sandwiches
Yum, this printable play food set is making me hungry! Give your child a fun craft, where she can make her own sandwich play food.
preschool
Arts & crafts
Worksheet
Play Food: Hamburgers!
Worksheet
Play Food: Hamburgers!
Get ready for some delicious play-time! Your little chef can craft his own play food with hamburgers and all the yummy toppings that go with them.
preschool
Arts & crafts
Worksheet
Play Food: Hanukkah Food
Worksheet
Play Food: Hanukkah Food
This Hanukkah food play food set is a fun way to get your child in the holiday spirit and encourage imaginative play at the same time.
preschool
Arts & crafts
Worksheet
Christmas Play Food
Worksheet
Christmas Play Food
Print out this collection of Christmas play food pieces and cook up some holiday fun.
preschool
Arts & crafts
Worksheet
Finding Triangles in Traffic
Worksheet
Finding Triangles in Traffic
...Is the traffic cone in the shape of a triangle? How about arrows on the ground?...
preschool
Math
Worksheet
Play Food: Dinner
Worksheet
Play Food: Dinner
Help your little chef create some delightful dinner dishes with these play food printables!
preschool
Arts & crafts
Worksheet
Thanksgiving Play Food
Worksheet
Thanksgiving Play Food
Pass out the casserole, serve up some stuffing, and even carve the turkey with this oh-so-adorable Thanksgiving play food set.
preschool
Arts & crafts
Worksheet
Play Food! Breakfast
Worksheet
Play Food! Breakfast
Let's play with food! With these printables, your little chef can cut and craft his very own paper breakfast, complete with eggs, bacon, waffles and more.
preschool
Arts & crafts
Worksheet
Play Food: Italian
Worksheet
Play Food: Italian
This set of Italian play food will inspire your little chef to whip up some delicious dishes, and learn some sight words in the process.
preschool
Arts & crafts
Worksheet
Play Food: Decorate Cookies
Worksheet
Play Food: Decorate Cookies
These printable play cookies are just waiting to be frosted and sprinkled.
preschool
Arts & crafts
Worksheet