All Together Games |
Target Themes: All Together, Conflict Resolution, Community, Leadership, Embracing Potential
3rd grade & up – Medium group (10+)
Empowerment, Observation, Nonverbal communication, Patience
Similar to Blizzard/Silent Lineup
Have students find their path in a game which combines mazes with teamwork.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
3rd grade & up – Medium group (10+)
Empowerment, Observation, Nonverbal communication, Patience
Similar to Blizzard/Silent Lineup
Have students find their path in a game which combines mazes with teamwork.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Target Themes: All Together, Helping Others, Community, Building Relationships
Choose a few people to be “it.” The game begins as normal freeze tag, but when someone is tagged, they must stand where they were tagged and hold their hands above their head simulating a banana. In order to “free” the person who was tagged, two different people must come “peel the banana” by pulling down each arm. After a couple minutes of playing, you can switch the people who are “it.”
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Choose a few people to be “it.” The game begins as normal freeze tag, but when someone is tagged, they must stand where they were tagged and hold their hands above their head simulating a banana. In order to “free” the person who was tagged, two different people must come “peel the banana” by pulling down each arm. After a couple minutes of playing, you can switch the people who are “it.”
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Target Themes: Self-awareness, Embracing Potential, Community, All Together
One or more children may be “it.” When they tag another child, that child will act like an animal (elephant, lion, walrus, sloth, etc.). The game continues until all of the children have turned into animals, at which point they can reflect on their new jungle, or zoo. After that, a new child may be chosen to be “it.”
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Variation: Children can become ‘untagged’ if they meet another child acting as the same animal, and they hi-five.
One or more children may be “it.” When they tag another child, that child will act like an animal (elephant, lion, walrus, sloth, etc.). The game continues until all of the children have turned into animals, at which point they can reflect on their new jungle, or zoo. After that, a new child may be chosen to be “it.”
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Variation: Children can become ‘untagged’ if they meet another child acting as the same animal, and they hi-five.
Target Themes: Self-awareness, Leadership, All Together
Supplies: Blindfold (optional)
In this game, four to six players will be human obstacles, while the rest of the group will be split into pairs. Explain that the space will be transformed into an obstacle course that people will need to negotiate. Ask for volunteers to be the “obstacles,” then place them strategically around the room and help them to create the course. This may include stepping over a volunteer (or frozen log), crawling under a table or stepping through a hoop of some sort (ice cave), walking between two people who are standing close together (crevasse), being held in mid-air (climbing in and out of the survival tent), avoiding a person pacing back and forth (snow plow), or stopping at a station to complete a task (like singing “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer”). Have the remaining participants pair up, so that everyone has a buddy. Explain that there has been a terrible blizzard in the room. Some players can still see (one person in each pair), but others have become snow blind (the other person in the pair who must close their eyes or use a blindfold). Give the pairs a minute to decide which person will play each role. Have each pair line up at the beginning of the course. The game begins when the pairs navigate their way through “the blizzard.” The players who can see must lead the blinded players through both the blizzard and obstacles safely. (Depending on the group, allow the guides to lead their partners by touching them lightly on the shoulders or instruct them to use only words). Send pairs through at staggered intervals so players do not bump into each other. Remind guides to watch not only their partner but other groups, as well. The game ends when each pair has successfully completed the course.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Variation: Have the group direct people through the blizzard. Choose a volunteer to be blindfolded and help them to the starting line. Have another player/volunteer to be their “spotter” and follow them, making sure that they are safe at all times, but explain that the spotter may not give directions.Directions and help may only come from the group, who are standing at the perimeter. Begin by letting anyone give directions. When this becomes too chaotic, freeze the game and have the blindfolded player explain what was easy or hard and what she or he needs to be successful.
Supplies: Blindfold (optional)
In this game, four to six players will be human obstacles, while the rest of the group will be split into pairs. Explain that the space will be transformed into an obstacle course that people will need to negotiate. Ask for volunteers to be the “obstacles,” then place them strategically around the room and help them to create the course. This may include stepping over a volunteer (or frozen log), crawling under a table or stepping through a hoop of some sort (ice cave), walking between two people who are standing close together (crevasse), being held in mid-air (climbing in and out of the survival tent), avoiding a person pacing back and forth (snow plow), or stopping at a station to complete a task (like singing “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer”). Have the remaining participants pair up, so that everyone has a buddy. Explain that there has been a terrible blizzard in the room. Some players can still see (one person in each pair), but others have become snow blind (the other person in the pair who must close their eyes or use a blindfold). Give the pairs a minute to decide which person will play each role. Have each pair line up at the beginning of the course. The game begins when the pairs navigate their way through “the blizzard.” The players who can see must lead the blinded players through both the blizzard and obstacles safely. (Depending on the group, allow the guides to lead their partners by touching them lightly on the shoulders or instruct them to use only words). Send pairs through at staggered intervals so players do not bump into each other. Remind guides to watch not only their partner but other groups, as well. The game ends when each pair has successfully completed the course.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Variation: Have the group direct people through the blizzard. Choose a volunteer to be blindfolded and help them to the starting line. Have another player/volunteer to be their “spotter” and follow them, making sure that they are safe at all times, but explain that the spotter may not give directions.Directions and help may only come from the group, who are standing at the perimeter. Begin by letting anyone give directions. When this becomes too chaotic, freeze the game and have the blindfolded player explain what was easy or hard and what she or he needs to be successful.
Reviews
For younger kids (K, 1, 2), we had the guide hold one end of a scarf and the blindfolded child hold the other end. This way, they were still dependent on one another but it was less dangerous due to the age factor
Target Themes: Community, All Together, Our Space
Set the game up by telling some kind of story about people-eating blobs invading Earth. Explain that one of these blobs has landed on their playing field and choose a person to be “it.” If “it” tags anyone, they become part of “the blob.” The game begins as a normal game of tag, but when someone is tagged, they must join hands with the tagger. Play continues and whenever someone is tagged, they must join hands with someone in the blob as the blob continues to chase people. The game ends when everyone becomes part of the blob.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Set the game up by telling some kind of story about people-eating blobs invading Earth. Explain that one of these blobs has landed on their playing field and choose a person to be “it.” If “it” tags anyone, they become part of “the blob.” The game begins as a normal game of tag, but when someone is tagged, they must join hands with the tagger. Play continues and whenever someone is tagged, they must join hands with someone in the blob as the blob continues to chase people. The game ends when everyone becomes part of the blob.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Target Themes: Conflict Resolution, Community, All Together
Supplies: a ball (or rolled up tape); for each group: 6 pieces of newspaper, 4 paper plates, 4 paper or plastic cups, ruler, scissors, roll of tape, 4 toothpicks (optional)
Divide participants into groups and have them sit around their building materials. Tell them they are not allowed to touch their materials at this point. Explain that each group is going to build a bridge using only the materials in front of them. The bridge must be able to support a small ball rolling from one side to the other and must meet the following criteria:
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Explain that for the next 10 minutes the groups can talk and plan how they will build their bridges, but that they still cannot touch the materials. After these 10 minutes are up, give them another 10 minutes to build their bridges, however they may not talk once the building time has begun. When time runs out the facilitator will measure each bridge to make sure they are at least 2 feet tall and 3 feet wide, and then each group will test their bridge with the ball.
Ask if they have any questions before the activity begins. Be sure to walk around to each group during both the planning and building phases to monitor their progress and make sure they are sticking to the rules.
Variations:
-Randomly assign a leader to each group but do not give them any specific responsibilities.
-To do this activity with slightly younger children, allow them to talk throughout the building phase.
Supplies: a ball (or rolled up tape); for each group: 6 pieces of newspaper, 4 paper plates, 4 paper or plastic cups, ruler, scissors, roll of tape, 4 toothpicks (optional)
Divide participants into groups and have them sit around their building materials. Tell them they are not allowed to touch their materials at this point. Explain that each group is going to build a bridge using only the materials in front of them. The bridge must be able to support a small ball rolling from one side to the other and must meet the following criteria:
- It must be at least 2 feet tall
- It must be at least 3 feet wide
- It cannot be anchored to the table or floor
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Explain that for the next 10 minutes the groups can talk and plan how they will build their bridges, but that they still cannot touch the materials. After these 10 minutes are up, give them another 10 minutes to build their bridges, however they may not talk once the building time has begun. When time runs out the facilitator will measure each bridge to make sure they are at least 2 feet tall and 3 feet wide, and then each group will test their bridge with the ball.
Ask if they have any questions before the activity begins. Be sure to walk around to each group during both the planning and building phases to monitor their progress and make sure they are sticking to the rules.
Variations:
-Randomly assign a leader to each group but do not give them any specific responsibilities.
-To do this activity with slightly younger children, allow them to talk throughout the building phase.
Target Themes: All Together, Introductions, Our Space, Self-Awareness, Building Relationships, Helping Others, Community
Explain to participants that you will be the captain, and they are all sailing on a ship at sea. The game begins by having all participants run around the available space at random, scrambling themselves. At any time, the captain must call out an order, and the participants must follow that order (see below). If a participant fails to do the correct order or is not part of a group when a particular order is called, he/she is considered to be “overboard” and must stand to the side of the playing area. Depending on the age group, feel free to pick and choose which/how many commands will be used, or ask students to come up with their own commands!
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Commands:
Explain to participants that you will be the captain, and they are all sailing on a ship at sea. The game begins by having all participants run around the available space at random, scrambling themselves. At any time, the captain must call out an order, and the participants must follow that order (see below). If a participant fails to do the correct order or is not part of a group when a particular order is called, he/she is considered to be “overboard” and must stand to the side of the playing area. Depending on the age group, feel free to pick and choose which/how many commands will be used, or ask students to come up with their own commands!
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Commands:
- Captain’s Waltz – participants must find a partner and pretend to waltz around the room. Anyone not in a group is considered “overboard.”
- Row Boat – participants must form groups of three, stand in a line and pretend to be rowing a boat while singing “row, row, row your boat.” Anyone not in a group is considered “overboard.”
- Captain’s Table – participants must form groups of four and pretend to be sitting around a table eating dinner. Anyone not in a group is considered “overboard.”
- Starfish – participants must form groups of five, put their arms together in the center of the circle and spin around, creating the five arms of a starfish. Anyone not in a group is considered “overboard.”
- Beached Whale – participants must lie down on their backs and put their arms and legs in the air. The last participant to do so is “overboard.”
- Port – all participants must run to the left hand side of the room. Participants who move in the wrong direction are considered “overboard.”
- Starboard - all participants must run to the right hand side of the room. Participants who move in the wrong direction are considered “overboard.”
- Bow - all participants must run to the front of the room. Participants who move in the wrong direction are considered “overboard.”
- Stern - all participants must run to the back of the room. Participants who move in the wrong direction are considered “overboard.”
- Attention! – All participants must face the captain and stand at attention. Once this command is called no one may move or perform other commands until the captain says “at ease.”
Target Themes: Embracing Potential, Community, All Together, Self-Awareness
Volunteers choose a category and the student must act out something in that category without using any words. For example, if the category is “profession” then the student can choose to act out any job such as a teacher or fireman. The other students in the classroom must work together to guess what the student is trying to act out.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Volunteers choose a category and the student must act out something in that category without using any words. For example, if the category is “profession” then the student can choose to act out any job such as a teacher or fireman. The other students in the classroom must work together to guess what the student is trying to act out.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Target Themes: Helping Others, Appreciation, All Together, Self-Awareness, Community, Speaking Up
Begin by explaining that there will be no actual running in this game, instead players will have to walk “heel to toe” meaning that with every step the heel of one foot must touch the toe of the other. Ask players if they know what this looks like and ask someone to demonstrate. If no one can or is willing to, facilitators should demonstrate for the group.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Explain that the playing area is the ocean and that all the players are clams (and that clams are very slow walkers). The game is played like regular tag with one person (or two if the group is large) being “it” and trying to tag the rest of the group. When a player is tagged they are “stuck in the mud” and must wave their arms in the air and squeal, “Heeeelp me!” over and over again. Two other players can free this person by standing on either side of the stuck person, linking hands, and shouting “Claaaam Free!”. When players are freeing someone, they cannot be tagged. Ask if there are any questions, choose someone to be “it” and give the group a few seconds to spread out (already walking heel-to-toe) and begin the game.
Begin by explaining that there will be no actual running in this game, instead players will have to walk “heel to toe” meaning that with every step the heel of one foot must touch the toe of the other. Ask players if they know what this looks like and ask someone to demonstrate. If no one can or is willing to, facilitators should demonstrate for the group.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Explain that the playing area is the ocean and that all the players are clams (and that clams are very slow walkers). The game is played like regular tag with one person (or two if the group is large) being “it” and trying to tag the rest of the group. When a player is tagged they are “stuck in the mud” and must wave their arms in the air and squeal, “Heeeelp me!” over and over again. Two other players can free this person by standing on either side of the stuck person, linking hands, and shouting “Claaaam Free!”. When players are freeing someone, they cannot be tagged. Ask if there are any questions, choose someone to be “it” and give the group a few seconds to spread out (already walking heel-to-toe) and begin the game.
Target Themes: Our Space, All Together, Helping Others, Building Relationships, Community
Supplies: Chairs, CD player, music (or a radio)
Begin the game by having each participant grab a chair and place the chairs in a circle, facing outward. (If there isn’t enough room for a circle put the chairs back to back in two straight lines.) Explain that everyone is going to walk around the circle, and when the music stops everyone must find a seat. The first round should be a practice round, but after the first round a chair must be removed each round. Explain that each time a chair is removed it means one more player without a seat! Explain that it is the group’s job to make room for all of the players without a chair. Room can be made by squeezing multiple people onto one chair, or having people sit on each other’s knees. The game continues until the players can no longer fit everyone on the remaining chairs.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Supplies: Chairs, CD player, music (or a radio)
Begin the game by having each participant grab a chair and place the chairs in a circle, facing outward. (If there isn’t enough room for a circle put the chairs back to back in two straight lines.) Explain that everyone is going to walk around the circle, and when the music stops everyone must find a seat. The first round should be a practice round, but after the first round a chair must be removed each round. Explain that each time a chair is removed it means one more player without a seat! Explain that it is the group’s job to make room for all of the players without a chair. Room can be made by squeezing multiple people onto one chair, or having people sit on each other’s knees. The game continues until the players can no longer fit everyone on the remaining chairs.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Target Themes: Leadership, Community, Conflict Resolution, All Together
Supplies: Six paper or plastic cups per team, rubber bands, string or twine
This game is played in small groups and is good for encouraging players to work together as a team. The variation can be used to examine the role of the leaders.
Before you play the game, make rubber band tools for each group. There should be four people per group. Make the rubber band tools by tying four pieces of string to a rubber band so each person on the team can hold a string and partially control the opening and closing of the rubber band.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
It will probably be easiest to explain this game by demonstration. Have all the players gather around one group of four people. Six cups should be laid out in the middle of the four players. The players should then stack the cups into a tower by only using the rubber band tool. After they have made a tower, they can be given additional challenges.
Variations:
- Have the groups try to stack the cups or make some other kind of structure without talking.
- Designate one member of each group as the leader. The other members of the group must close their eyes. The leader will guide the other members of the group in stacking or making a structure.
Supplies: Six paper or plastic cups per team, rubber bands, string or twine
This game is played in small groups and is good for encouraging players to work together as a team. The variation can be used to examine the role of the leaders.
Before you play the game, make rubber band tools for each group. There should be four people per group. Make the rubber band tools by tying four pieces of string to a rubber band so each person on the team can hold a string and partially control the opening and closing of the rubber band.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
It will probably be easiest to explain this game by demonstration. Have all the players gather around one group of four people. Six cups should be laid out in the middle of the four players. The players should then stack the cups into a tower by only using the rubber band tool. After they have made a tower, they can be given additional challenges.
Variations:
- Have the groups try to stack the cups or make some other kind of structure without talking.
- Designate one member of each group as the leader. The other members of the group must close their eyes. The leader will guide the other members of the group in stacking or making a structure.
Target Themes: Embracing Potential, Self-Awareness, Community, All Together
Have the group sit in a semi-circle around the “stage.” Ask for three volunteers, two to be the actors and one to be the director. Have the director silently pose the two actors in any way they choose. When the actors are positioned, have the director call “Action!” and then rejoin the audience. Both actors must then begin an improvised scene – with or without talking – based on how they were posed. (For example, if one actor was positioned on one knee and the other seated nearby, they could act out a marriage proposal, a lost contact lens, or a dog begging for morsels from the dinner table).
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Explain that the audience is an audience of actors and that any person in the audience may, at any time, yell “Freeze!” and stop the scene. When this happens, they must tag one of the actors in the scene, assume their exact pose, and then call “Action” to restart a new scene. The objective is less to develop complete scenes than to get players thinking quickly and creatively, which means that the action must be constantly frozen and restarted. Continue playing as long as people are having fun or until time runs out.
Have the group sit in a semi-circle around the “stage.” Ask for three volunteers, two to be the actors and one to be the director. Have the director silently pose the two actors in any way they choose. When the actors are positioned, have the director call “Action!” and then rejoin the audience. Both actors must then begin an improvised scene – with or without talking – based on how they were posed. (For example, if one actor was positioned on one knee and the other seated nearby, they could act out a marriage proposal, a lost contact lens, or a dog begging for morsels from the dinner table).
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Explain that the audience is an audience of actors and that any person in the audience may, at any time, yell “Freeze!” and stop the scene. When this happens, they must tag one of the actors in the scene, assume their exact pose, and then call “Action” to restart a new scene. The objective is less to develop complete scenes than to get players thinking quickly and creatively, which means that the action must be constantly frozen and restarted. Continue playing as long as people are having fun or until time runs out.
Target Themes: Our Space, Self Awareness, Community, All Together
The object of group sit and stand is for groups to sit and stand together without unlinking arms. Begin the game by separating the group into pairs. Make sure to pair people according to size. Have the pairs stand back to back and link arms. After all the pairs are in the correct position have them attempt to sit down without unlinking their arms or crashing to the floor. Once pairs have managed to sit have them attempt to stand back up. As pairs complete the task, have them join together and try again in groups of four. Tell participants that in groups of 3 or bigger they may stand facing inside the circle. Continue to combine the groups until eventually all the participants are sitting and standing in one large circle.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Discuss what made this activity easy or difficult. Vary the activity by having the participants attempt to sit and stand without talking or while standing on one foot.
The object of group sit and stand is for groups to sit and stand together without unlinking arms. Begin the game by separating the group into pairs. Make sure to pair people according to size. Have the pairs stand back to back and link arms. After all the pairs are in the correct position have them attempt to sit down without unlinking their arms or crashing to the floor. Once pairs have managed to sit have them attempt to stand back up. As pairs complete the task, have them join together and try again in groups of four. Tell participants that in groups of 3 or bigger they may stand facing inside the circle. Continue to combine the groups until eventually all the participants are sitting and standing in one large circle.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Discuss what made this activity easy or difficult. Vary the activity by having the participants attempt to sit and stand without talking or while standing on one foot.
Target Themes: Problem solving, Communication, All Together
Supplies: An orange, softball or similar sized object
Have the group stand in a circle with their hands behind their backs. Choose an object, like an orange, and tell them that it must be passed all the way around the circle; however no one may use their hands. Before you begin, have the group brainstorm ways to do this and pick one that everyone agrees on to try. Examples are holding it under their chin, between their head and shoulder, and using their feet. Once everyone agrees on a method, pick a person to start and begin the relay. Play a few rounds and try to beat your time or try a new method of passing the object around.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Supplies: An orange, softball or similar sized object
Have the group stand in a circle with their hands behind their backs. Choose an object, like an orange, and tell them that it must be passed all the way around the circle; however no one may use their hands. Before you begin, have the group brainstorm ways to do this and pick one that everyone agrees on to try. Examples are holding it under their chin, between their head and shoulder, and using their feet. Once everyone agrees on a method, pick a person to start and begin the relay. Play a few rounds and try to beat your time or try a new method of passing the object around.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Target Themes: Introductions, All Together, Teamwork, Communication
Supplies: A light-weight object, such as a hula hoop or long stick
Have the group put their pointer finger underneath the object. Explain to the group that the task is to lower the object slowly to the ground, but the object must stay in contact with everyone’s finger or the challenge starts over.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Supplies: A light-weight object, such as a hula hoop or long stick
Have the group put their pointer finger underneath the object. Explain to the group that the task is to lower the object slowly to the ground, but the object must stay in contact with everyone’s finger or the challenge starts over.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Target Themes: All Together, Self-Awareness, Introductions
Everyone stands in a circle. You may not laugh. You must motion properly. The motion is having your hands flattened together and pointing either up above your head, or to another player, depending on what part of the game you are in.
One player begins by motioning up above his/her head and saying "huh." The two people on either side of him must then simultaneously motion to this person and say "huh." This person then must then motion to someone else in the circle and say "huh."
This begins the process over, and the new person must motion upward and say "huh" as the two on either side of him motion toward him and say "huh", and so on.
You are out if you laugh, or if you don't say "huh" or do not motion fast enough.
When two people are left, they must take turns pointing upward and at each other and must get faster and faster until one messes up. The last one standing is the winner.
Tips:
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Everyone stands in a circle. You may not laugh. You must motion properly. The motion is having your hands flattened together and pointing either up above your head, or to another player, depending on what part of the game you are in.
One player begins by motioning up above his/her head and saying "huh." The two people on either side of him must then simultaneously motion to this person and say "huh." This person then must then motion to someone else in the circle and say "huh."
This begins the process over, and the new person must motion upward and say "huh" as the two on either side of him motion toward him and say "huh", and so on.
You are out if you laugh, or if you don't say "huh" or do not motion fast enough.
When two people are left, they must take turns pointing upward and at each other and must get faster and faster until one messes up. The last one standing is the winner.
Tips:
- If the last two players are just not laughing or messing up, have the game facilitator yell out a vegetable. The final two players act out that vegetable, and the rest of the group votes on the best actor.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Target Themes: Communication, Critical thinking, All Together
Supplies: One hula-hoop per group of 5
Before splitting the group up into smaller groups of 5, ask for volunteers to help demonstrate. Explain that the object of the game is for team members to work together to lower their hula-hoop to the ground. Ask the volunteers to stand in a tight circle. Than ask the volunteers to kindly raise their hands to shoulder level and pretend like they are pointing at something directly in front of them. Make sure that their fingers are level, and then place the hula-hoop on top of their fingertips. Make sure that all the group members understand they must always have both fingers touching the hula-hoop. Have monitors walking around and ensuring that everyone’s fingers are always in contact with the hula-hoops. If someone does not have both fingers on the hula-hoop, have their group start again. After each group has completed the task once, have the groups try a second time without speaking.
Supplies: One hula-hoop per group of 5
Before splitting the group up into smaller groups of 5, ask for volunteers to help demonstrate. Explain that the object of the game is for team members to work together to lower their hula-hoop to the ground. Ask the volunteers to stand in a tight circle. Than ask the volunteers to kindly raise their hands to shoulder level and pretend like they are pointing at something directly in front of them. Make sure that their fingers are level, and then place the hula-hoop on top of their fingertips. Make sure that all the group members understand they must always have both fingers touching the hula-hoop. Have monitors walking around and ensuring that everyone’s fingers are always in contact with the hula-hoops. If someone does not have both fingers on the hula-hoop, have their group start again. After each group has completed the task once, have the groups try a second time without speaking.
Target Themes: Safe space, Leadership, Critical thinking, Teamwork
Have the group stand in a tight circle. Tell everyone put their right hand into in the middle of the circle and grab the hand of someone else, making sure that it is not the person standing on their immediate left or right. Next, tell everyone put their left hand into the middle of the circle and grab someone else’s left hand, again making sure that it is not the person on their immediate left or right (and also making sure that they are holding the hands of two different people). To make sure that everyone is connected,have the groups quickly “pass a pulse” around the circle. When the group is well-tangled, explain that their job is to untangle themselves without letting go. Walk around the group and observe the strategies that players are using and the way different people are displaying leadership. Also, make sure that people are physically safe and mindful of each other.
Variation: Challenge the group to untangle the knot without talking.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Have the group stand in a tight circle. Tell everyone put their right hand into in the middle of the circle and grab the hand of someone else, making sure that it is not the person standing on their immediate left or right. Next, tell everyone put their left hand into the middle of the circle and grab someone else’s left hand, again making sure that it is not the person on their immediate left or right (and also making sure that they are holding the hands of two different people). To make sure that everyone is connected,have the groups quickly “pass a pulse” around the circle. When the group is well-tangled, explain that their job is to untangle themselves without letting go. Walk around the group and observe the strategies that players are using and the way different people are displaying leadership. Also, make sure that people are physically safe and mindful of each other.
Variation: Challenge the group to untangle the knot without talking.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Target Themes: Embracing Potential, Communication, Conflict Resolution, All Together
The object of this game is for people to work cooperatively in small groups to imitate a machine using only their bodies. Divide the groups into teams of approximately 3-6 people. Explain that they will have five minutes to choose a machine and to plan how the team will present it to the rest of the group.
Some guidelines:
After five minutes, bring the teams back together and have each team present their machine for the whole group. After a team has presented, have participants raise their hands if they think they can identify the machine. Give the group three chances to guess the machine.
Variation: Have the whole group (or teams) create a new machine – either functional or fictional. Begin with one or two players performing a motion, possibly accompanied by a sound. One by one, have additional players add a complementary motion and sound until the machine is complete. This can get quite loud so make sure the group is in a place where they can make noise without disturbing others. If the group is mature or has had some practice, tell them that their new machine must accomplish some task, such as cooking, cleaning, building, making music, farming, or something else.
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The object of this game is for people to work cooperatively in small groups to imitate a machine using only their bodies. Divide the groups into teams of approximately 3-6 people. Explain that they will have five minutes to choose a machine and to plan how the team will present it to the rest of the group.
Some guidelines:
- The machine must be an actual machine. (Examples have included everything from televisions to tractors to espresso machines)
- The only materials available to use are the people in the group.
- Every person on the team must be included.
After five minutes, bring the teams back together and have each team present their machine for the whole group. After a team has presented, have participants raise their hands if they think they can identify the machine. Give the group three chances to guess the machine.
Variation: Have the whole group (or teams) create a new machine – either functional or fictional. Begin with one or two players performing a motion, possibly accompanied by a sound. One by one, have additional players add a complementary motion and sound until the machine is complete. This can get quite loud so make sure the group is in a place where they can make noise without disturbing others. If the group is mature or has had some practice, tell them that their new machine must accomplish some task, such as cooking, cleaning, building, making music, farming, or something else.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Target Themes: Communication, Critical thinking, Teamwork
Supplies: Rope
Divide participants into groups of four or six. Group members move as if they would hold hands, but instead they hold pieces of rope between them. The goal of the exercise is to tie a not in the piece of rope between the middle two classmates. Participants must hold onto the rope at all times, but move in a way such that they make a knot.
Confused? Watch one of the many possible solutions here
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Supplies: Rope
Divide participants into groups of four or six. Group members move as if they would hold hands, but instead they hold pieces of rope between them. The goal of the exercise is to tie a not in the piece of rope between the middle two classmates. Participants must hold onto the rope at all times, but move in a way such that they make a knot.
Confused? Watch one of the many possible solutions here
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Target Themes: Safe space, Leadership
Begin by having participants pair up. Explain that there is going to be a leader and a follower but that these roles will be switched frequently. Ask for one person from each pair to volunteer to be the leader first. Have the leader place their hand one foot away from their partners face. Explain that the followers’ goal is to maintain this distance while the leader slowly moves their hand up, down, sideways, and walks around the room. After about a minute or so, explain that there are going to be two “commands.” If the facilitator claps one time the players are to switch roles, if the facilitator claps two times they are to quickly switch partners. Make sure to continuously give commands so that the game stays interesting, and play for as long as everyone is having fun.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Variations:
- One way to switch up “Hypnotist” is to have both players lead. Have the players choose one spot on their body (fingertips of their left hand, nose, elbow, etc.) Have players walk around the room while trying to maintain three feet of distance between their partners chosen body part and their own face.
- Another way to switch up “Hypnotist” is to have one person lead the entire group. The leader would have all of the followers attempt to keep their faces three feet away from the leaders hand while the leader slowly and deliberately moves their hand.
Begin by having participants pair up. Explain that there is going to be a leader and a follower but that these roles will be switched frequently. Ask for one person from each pair to volunteer to be the leader first. Have the leader place their hand one foot away from their partners face. Explain that the followers’ goal is to maintain this distance while the leader slowly moves their hand up, down, sideways, and walks around the room. After about a minute or so, explain that there are going to be two “commands.” If the facilitator claps one time the players are to switch roles, if the facilitator claps two times they are to quickly switch partners. Make sure to continuously give commands so that the game stays interesting, and play for as long as everyone is having fun.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Variations:
- One way to switch up “Hypnotist” is to have both players lead. Have the players choose one spot on their body (fingertips of their left hand, nose, elbow, etc.) Have players walk around the room while trying to maintain three feet of distance between their partners chosen body part and their own face.
- Another way to switch up “Hypnotist” is to have one person lead the entire group. The leader would have all of the followers attempt to keep their faces three feet away from the leaders hand while the leader slowly and deliberately moves their hand.
Target Themes: Self-Awareness, Leadership, All Together
Have the group stand in a circle an arm’s length apart. Explain that you are going to be the conductor and that as you chug around the circle people should jump on your train! Once everyone is on the train move around the room, inventing obstacles that your train has to bypass. Maybe the train has to slow down as it is moving up a hill, or speed up as it is coming down the other side. Maybe the train has to crouch down to go under a tunnel, or stand on tip-toe while going over a bridge. Maybe the train as to hop up and down as it hits a particularly bumpy part of the track. Use your imagination! Facilitators can be obstacles as well (leg tunnel, toll booth, etc.). Once the group gets used to working as a train, pick a different conductor. Play for as long as everyone is having fun or until the time runs out. Play this game often enough so that different people get the chance to be the leader.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Variation: Split the group up into two or three different trains to give more participants a chance to be the leader.
Have the group stand in a circle an arm’s length apart. Explain that you are going to be the conductor and that as you chug around the circle people should jump on your train! Once everyone is on the train move around the room, inventing obstacles that your train has to bypass. Maybe the train has to slow down as it is moving up a hill, or speed up as it is coming down the other side. Maybe the train has to crouch down to go under a tunnel, or stand on tip-toe while going over a bridge. Maybe the train as to hop up and down as it hits a particularly bumpy part of the track. Use your imagination! Facilitators can be obstacles as well (leg tunnel, toll booth, etc.). Once the group gets used to working as a train, pick a different conductor. Play for as long as everyone is having fun or until the time runs out. Play this game often enough so that different people get the chance to be the leader.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Variation: Split the group up into two or three different trains to give more participants a chance to be the leader.
Target Themes: Safe space, Teamwork
Supplies: A coin, an object to grab
Begin by dividing players into two teams. Have teams stand in two straight lines facing each other. Stand at one end of the lines and place a ball or a soft object, spaced evenly between the players, at the opposite end. Tell teams to hold hands and explain that the object of the game is to pass a pulse down the line. Practice this one time by having the players closest to the facilitator lightly squeeze the hand of the person next to them until the “pulse” reaches the end of the line; make sure that players do not squeeze hands until they have received the pulse. When the person at the end of the line receives a pulse, they must reach out and grab the object. The winning team then rotates players, so that the person at the end (closest to the object) moves to the beginning and everyone shifts down one space.
Explain that during the game everyone will have their eyes closed, except for the two people at the beginning of the line. They must have their eyes open to see the coin flip. Hold out a quarter or other coin and show the “heads” and “tails” side of the coin. Explain that the facilitator will flip the coin and that players should send a pulse only if the coin comes up heads. If a team sends a pulse when the coin comes up tails, then they must rotate backwards, meaning that the person at the beginning must go back to the end and everyone shifts one space. Ask if there are any questions, and then play a couple of practice rounds. When players are ready, begin playing. The game ends when one team has rotated completely through its line.
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Variation: Have both teams rotate after each round and play to a certain number of points. Give one point to a team for grabbing the object first and take one away for sending a pulse when the coin lands on tails.
Supplies: A coin, an object to grab
Begin by dividing players into two teams. Have teams stand in two straight lines facing each other. Stand at one end of the lines and place a ball or a soft object, spaced evenly between the players, at the opposite end. Tell teams to hold hands and explain that the object of the game is to pass a pulse down the line. Practice this one time by having the players closest to the facilitator lightly squeeze the hand of the person next to them until the “pulse” reaches the end of the line; make sure that players do not squeeze hands until they have received the pulse. When the person at the end of the line receives a pulse, they must reach out and grab the object. The winning team then rotates players, so that the person at the end (closest to the object) moves to the beginning and everyone shifts down one space.
Explain that during the game everyone will have their eyes closed, except for the two people at the beginning of the line. They must have their eyes open to see the coin flip. Hold out a quarter or other coin and show the “heads” and “tails” side of the coin. Explain that the facilitator will flip the coin and that players should send a pulse only if the coin comes up heads. If a team sends a pulse when the coin comes up tails, then they must rotate backwards, meaning that the person at the beginning must go back to the end and everyone shifts one space. Ask if there are any questions, and then play a couple of practice rounds. When players are ready, begin playing. The game ends when one team has rotated completely through its line.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Variation: Have both teams rotate after each round and play to a certain number of points. Give one point to a team for grabbing the object first and take one away for sending a pulse when the coin lands on tails.
Target Themes: Individuality, Teamwork, Communication
Supplies: None
One chosen student, the actor must act out anything he or she desires. All other students in the classroom have their back turned to the person acting so that they cannot see what he or she is doing. One student, the translator, can see what is happening. He or she must try to describe to the students who cannot see what the actor is doing without mimicking the actor’s actions. The other students in the classroom must work together to guess what the actor is trying to act out.
If the group is larger, the class can split into teams of four—where one person is the translator and the other three can’t see the actor. Facilitators can choose to set a one-minute timer to limit how long the teams can guess. The team that guesses in time earns a point and at the end of one round, the actor switches with whichever students wants to act next.
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Back to Spring Themes
Supplies: None
One chosen student, the actor must act out anything he or she desires. All other students in the classroom have their back turned to the person acting so that they cannot see what he or she is doing. One student, the translator, can see what is happening. He or she must try to describe to the students who cannot see what the actor is doing without mimicking the actor’s actions. The other students in the classroom must work together to guess what the actor is trying to act out.
If the group is larger, the class can split into teams of four—where one person is the translator and the other three can’t see the actor. Facilitators can choose to set a one-minute timer to limit how long the teams can guess. The team that guesses in time earns a point and at the end of one round, the actor switches with whichever students wants to act next.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes