Sock Sort Relay

Skills to work on for this lesson:

• Gross Motor
• Fine Motor
• O&M
• Math (comparing size, length, and numbers)
• PE

Get outside, get them moving, and sneak in a Math lesson! Let’s face it, we all have an odd sock pile, so let’s put that to work (other than turning them into rags). If you don’t have two kids at home, let your little one compete against their own time, running two or more races to see which one is faster.

Materials you will need:

• 2 chairs per player
• Yarn, string, or a jump rope for a lead line
• 2 containers (buckets or clothes baskets to hold socks)
• Socks of different lengths or sizes
• A stopwatch/timer (you can use an app if needed)

Directions:

Start by setting your chairs a good distance apart and attach one end of the lead line to each.

Place a container in the seat of each chair. These will hold your socks.

Decide which side of your lead line will be the “Starting line” and place socks inside the container at the other end.

Allow your child to explore the gameplay area. Let them walk the lead line multiple times in order to become familiar with the surface they will be running on. Becoming familiar with the depth and location of the containers you chose will help them build confidence for successfully playing the game. Take time to explain the game, and if necessary, have them repeat the information back to you, to ensure understanding.

Tell your child to find the “starting line”, start your timer, and say, “Go!”. Have your child follow the lead line, if they need it, to locate the sock container.

If possible, make sure your child is using their thumb and first finger to grab one sock at a time. This will help them to practice isolating their fingers.

After grabbing one sock, they will need to turn around and run back, placing the sock in the opposite container.

Once all the socks have been moved to the starting line container, your child can dump the socks out and arrange them in a line by length or size.

We had lots of laughs with this activity, got some exercise and fresh air, and hope you do as well!

APH products that can supplement this lesson:

• Book: The Longest Noodle
• Small, Medium, and Large Circle Sets

For more resources please check out our #AtHomeWithAPH resource list for free and accessible activities, tips, webinars, and more from APH, our partners, and the field at large. Have a free and accessible resource you would like us to include? Email us at communications@aph.org to tell us about it!