Community 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: Safe space, Self-awareness
Supplies: A ball of standard sports size
Players should begin by holding hands or linking arms in a large circle. In the center of the circle, place the ball or have someone throw it in. Players are not allowed to touch the ball with their feet, but are allowed to make contact with it with other body parts. If the ball touches a player’s foot, that player is eliminated. The goal of the game is to remain in the circle until there is one player left by launching the ball at others or pulling and pushing the entire circle.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Supplies: A ball of standard sports size
Players should begin by holding hands or linking arms in a large circle. In the center of the circle, place the ball or have someone throw it in. Players are not allowed to touch the ball with their feet, but are allowed to make contact with it with other body parts. If the ball touches a player’s foot, that player is eliminated. The goal of the game is to remain in the circle until there is one player left by launching the ball at others or pulling and pushing the entire circle.
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: 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: Appreciation, Helping Others, Building Relationships, Peacemakers for Life, Community
Tell players they are going to be playing a game in which they will be complimenting each other. If you are playing with young children, ask if they know what a compliment is. If they already know, have them share some examples. If not, then explain the concept to them and give a few examples of compliments. Have the players sit in a circle and tell them that they are going to be passing compliments around the circle. One person will give a compliment to the person next to them, who will then say “thank you” and give a compliment to the next person and so on around the circle. Remind them that the compliments need to be sincere and start the relay. If you would like to play a second round, give players 10 seconds to find a new seat in the circle (they can’t sit next to the same person) and challenge them to say something different from the last round.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Tell players they are going to be playing a game in which they will be complimenting each other. If you are playing with young children, ask if they know what a compliment is. If they already know, have them share some examples. If not, then explain the concept to them and give a few examples of compliments. Have the players sit in a circle and tell them that they are going to be passing compliments around the circle. One person will give a compliment to the person next to them, who will then say “thank you” and give a compliment to the next person and so on around the circle. Remind them that the compliments need to be sincere and start the relay. If you would like to play a second round, give players 10 seconds to find a new seat in the circle (they can’t sit next to the same person) and challenge them to say something different from the last round.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Target Themes: Community, Celebrating Differences, Building Relationships, Our Space
Have the group count off by twos. Have the ones form a circle facing outward with their backs toward one another. Have the twos form a circle around the ones facing inward so that everyone is paired with someone in the other circle. Explain that you will ask them a series of questions. Each pair has two minutes to discuss the questions (one minute for each person).
After two minutes are up have one of the circles rotate either right or left one spot or any number you choose. Then have the new pairs talk for two minutes. Write down some discussion ideas that relate to your activity in advance.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Have the group count off by twos. Have the ones form a circle facing outward with their backs toward one another. Have the twos form a circle around the ones facing inward so that everyone is paired with someone in the other circle. Explain that you will ask them a series of questions. Each pair has two minutes to discuss the questions (one minute for each person).
After two minutes are up have one of the circles rotate either right or left one spot or any number you choose. Then have the new pairs talk for two minutes. Write down some discussion ideas that relate to your activity in advance.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Target Themes: Our Space, Celebrating Differences, Building Relationships, Community
Supplies: A prepared list of topics or statements, tape and signs (optional)
Before you begin, make sure you have a large space that is clear of obstructions so people can move around the room easily. Make a line out of tape on the floor down the middle of the room. Label the length of tape with the following: strongly agree, agree, disagree, or strongly disagree, in a continuum (i.e. strongly agree and strongly disagree at opposite ends). Have the group stand in the middle of the room or in front of the line and explain that you will read a series of statements and each person must place themselves on the line according to their level of agreement/disagreement with the statement. They should move without talking. Ask if there are any questions and then begin by reading the first statement. When everyone has found their place on the continuum give participants a chance to share their opinions, making sure to hear from different places along the line. Make sure to remind participants that they may not judge other people’s ideas. After a few minutes, move on to the next statement. Continue until all the statements have been read.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Debriefing Tips: Talk about the range of opinions heard, using specific examples if possible, and what it was like to move along the continuum.
Variations: Instead of using a line, label the four corners of the room with strongly agree, agree, disagree, and strongly disagree and have participants go the corner that represents their opinion.
Or: Have participants break into only two groups, agree or disagree, and have the groups engage in short discussions about why they chose to agree or disagree. Then share with the larger group. In debriefing, talk about how it feels to have to make a black and white decision with no shades of gray.
Sample Statements:
Supplies: A prepared list of topics or statements, tape and signs (optional)
Before you begin, make sure you have a large space that is clear of obstructions so people can move around the room easily. Make a line out of tape on the floor down the middle of the room. Label the length of tape with the following: strongly agree, agree, disagree, or strongly disagree, in a continuum (i.e. strongly agree and strongly disagree at opposite ends). Have the group stand in the middle of the room or in front of the line and explain that you will read a series of statements and each person must place themselves on the line according to their level of agreement/disagreement with the statement. They should move without talking. Ask if there are any questions and then begin by reading the first statement. When everyone has found their place on the continuum give participants a chance to share their opinions, making sure to hear from different places along the line. Make sure to remind participants that they may not judge other people’s ideas. After a few minutes, move on to the next statement. Continue until all the statements have been read.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Debriefing Tips: Talk about the range of opinions heard, using specific examples if possible, and what it was like to move along the continuum.
Variations: Instead of using a line, label the four corners of the room with strongly agree, agree, disagree, and strongly disagree and have participants go the corner that represents their opinion.
Or: Have participants break into only two groups, agree or disagree, and have the groups engage in short discussions about why they chose to agree or disagree. Then share with the larger group. In debriefing, talk about how it feels to have to make a black and white decision with no shades of gray.
Sample Statements:
- Young men have been systematically conditioned to be violent
- Women are less violent than men.
- I share the same race or ethnicity as many of my teachers
- Poverty is a form of violence
- Guns symbolize power and control
- Guns are a way for young people to have power
- Adults in my life are good models of conflict resolution
- Oppression only havens to non-white people
- Violence is a learned behavior
- Conflict can be a positive thing
- Adults understand what it is like to be a young peons today
- Society discriminates against people of different religions
- It is hard to be an immigrant in this country
- People of African descent are represented on TV as bright, capable, and resourceful, people
- It is difficult to sit in the room and be the only person who is… (white/black/short/gay/in a wheelchair etc.)
- I believe that my vote matters
- The quality of education depends on a person’s income
- I can walk down the street holding the hand of the person I love without a negative reaction from other people.
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: 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: Introductions, Individuality, Respecting differences, Appreciating diversity
Supplies: Human bingo boards, Writing utensils
Start by giving everyone a Bingo Sheet. In each box is a characteristic or description of something such as “has a brother” or “can speak another language.” Once everyone has a sheet, people can walk around the room trying to fill their sheets with as many signatures as possible. Remind people that one person cannot sign another sheet more than once. As people finish, they can return to their seats. End the game as most people seem to be finishing.
Variation: Use another Bingo sheet, instead of characteristics, each box will have a sentence stem that another person can complete, such as “If I won the lottery, I would...” Have players mingle around the room, and after having a short conversation about one of the sentence stems, they can sign each other’s sheets and fill in the blank. The game ends when everyone has filled in their sheets, or when time runs out.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Supplies: Human bingo boards, Writing utensils
Start by giving everyone a Bingo Sheet. In each box is a characteristic or description of something such as “has a brother” or “can speak another language.” Once everyone has a sheet, people can walk around the room trying to fill their sheets with as many signatures as possible. Remind people that one person cannot sign another sheet more than once. As people finish, they can return to their seats. End the game as most people seem to be finishing.
Variation: Use another Bingo sheet, instead of characteristics, each box will have a sentence stem that another person can complete, such as “If I won the lottery, I would...” Have players mingle around the room, and after having a short conversation about one of the sentence stems, they can sign each other’s sheets and fill in the blank. The game ends when everyone has filled in their sheets, or when time runs out.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
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.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
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: Leadership, Community, All Together
Supplies: Pieces of paper
Islands are laid out in a designated area of play. Groups must travel from point A to point B by only stepping on the islands. This may be presented as a competition between two teams, a race against the clock, or both!
There can be many variations with this game. Islands can be laid out in an easy/difficult pattern, be smaller/larger, etc. The children may not be able to verbally communicate, or they must have to hold hands in a line through the entire journey. A rule could be made where the first person cannot step off of the last island until the last person is on the first island, etc. Additionally, if someone steps into the water, an island may be removed from his or her team, making the challenge more difficult.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Supplies: Pieces of paper
Islands are laid out in a designated area of play. Groups must travel from point A to point B by only stepping on the islands. This may be presented as a competition between two teams, a race against the clock, or both!
There can be many variations with this game. Islands can be laid out in an easy/difficult pattern, be smaller/larger, etc. The children may not be able to verbally communicate, or they must have to hold hands in a line through the entire journey. A rule could be made where the first person cannot step off of the last island until the last person is on the first island, etc. Additionally, if someone steps into the water, an island may be removed from his or her team, making the challenge more difficult.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Target Themes: Safe space, All Together,
Supplies: Balloons, markers
Prepare about 10-15 balloons of different sizes and varying colors. Write common tasks or important aspects of a student’s life on the balloons (one task per balloon). The larger balloons should represent things that are most important in life (ex. the balloon with “eating” on it would be significantly larger than the “Facebook” balloon) and the smaller ones should represent the non-essentials. Gather students in a large circle. The game starts with the facilitator introducing a balloon or two at a time (starting with the most important). The point of the game is for all of the students in the circle to work together to keep the balloons off of the ground. Once a balloon hits the ground, it is out of play. The game is over once the most important balloon hits the ground or time is called.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Supplies: Balloons, markers
Prepare about 10-15 balloons of different sizes and varying colors. Write common tasks or important aspects of a student’s life on the balloons (one task per balloon). The larger balloons should represent things that are most important in life (ex. the balloon with “eating” on it would be significantly larger than the “Facebook” balloon) and the smaller ones should represent the non-essentials. Gather students in a large circle. The game starts with the facilitator introducing a balloon or two at a time (starting with the most important). The point of the game is for all of the students in the circle to work together to keep the balloons off of the ground. Once a balloon hits the ground, it is out of play. The game is over once the most important balloon hits the ground or time is called.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes