Our Space Games |
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: 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: Introductions, Self-awareness, Embracing Potential, Celebrating differences, Building Relationships, Our Space
This game can be used to split a large group into smaller groups, to learn something new about people in the group, or just as a fun and active game.
Make sure there is enough room to move around freely. Explain that people are going to separate into groups as quickly as possible. Keep the questions moving quickly (i.e. give just enough time for people to introduce themselves or look around their group before asking the next question). Alternate between 50/50 questions and multiple-choice questions.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Possible questions:
This game can be used to split a large group into smaller groups, to learn something new about people in the group, or just as a fun and active game.
Make sure there is enough room to move around freely. Explain that people are going to separate into groups as quickly as possible. Keep the questions moving quickly (i.e. give just enough time for people to introduce themselves or look around their group before asking the next question). Alternate between 50/50 questions and multiple-choice questions.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Possible questions:
- Which leg do you put in your pants first when getting dressed?
- When you clap, is your left hand or right hand on top?
- Using your index finger, draw an imaginary circle in the air. Does your finger travel clockwise or counterclockwise?
- Which eye do you use to give a spontaneous wink?
- Can you roll your tongue?
- When eating ice cream cones, which way do you rotate the cone?
- What month were you born in?
- Fold your arms; is your right or left arm on top?
- How many siblings are in your family, including you?
Target Themes: Our space, Embracing Potential, Self-Awareness
The facilitator should begin the game by asking for a volunteer. Once a volunteer has been chosen, this individual should come to the front of the room. Tell the participants that they are to observe this volunteers appearance (jewelry, clothing, hair style, etc.) Give the group enough time to observe the volunteer.
After about 3-5 minutes have gone by, have the volunteer go into the hallway and change 3 things about their appearance. When the volunteer comes back in, have them call on participants who think they know what was changed. Once every change has been guessed (or the group has been stumped) pick another volunteer. If the group seems to be getting the hang of the game, have them split up into pairs. Have the pairs take turns being the guesser or the changer. Have all of the changers leave the room and re-enter the room at the same time, and see which guesser can guess all three things first.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
The facilitator should begin the game by asking for a volunteer. Once a volunteer has been chosen, this individual should come to the front of the room. Tell the participants that they are to observe this volunteers appearance (jewelry, clothing, hair style, etc.) Give the group enough time to observe the volunteer.
After about 3-5 minutes have gone by, have the volunteer go into the hallway and change 3 things about their appearance. When the volunteer comes back in, have them call on participants who think they know what was changed. Once every change has been guessed (or the group has been stumped) pick another volunteer. If the group seems to be getting the hang of the game, have them split up into pairs. Have the pairs take turns being the guesser or the changer. Have all of the changers leave the room and re-enter the room at the same time, and see which guesser can guess all three things first.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
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: 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: 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: Our Space, Embracing Potential
A group of players sit in a circle, facing inward, while another player (the picker) walks around gently tapping or pointing to each player in turn, calling each a "duck" until finally picking one to be a “something." The picker gets to choose what animal/machine/thing will be acted out.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
The chosen person then rises, chases and tries to tag the "picker,” while the picker tries to return to and sit where the chaser had been sitting. If the picker succeeds, the chaser is now the new picker and the process begins again. If the chaser succeeds in tagging the picker, the chaser may return to sit in the previous spot and the picker resumes the process.
A group of players sit in a circle, facing inward, while another player (the picker) walks around gently tapping or pointing to each player in turn, calling each a "duck" until finally picking one to be a “something." The picker gets to choose what animal/machine/thing will be acted out.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
The chosen person then rises, chases and tries to tag the "picker,” while the picker tries to return to and sit where the chaser had been sitting. If the picker succeeds, the chaser is now the new picker and the process begins again. If the chaser succeeds in tagging the picker, the chaser may return to sit in the previous spot and the picker resumes the process.
Target Themes: Our Space, Self-Awareness, Introductions,
Explain that in this game everyone is “it”. Before the game begins all players should spread out. When play begins, anyone can tag anyone and they may be tagged by anyone. Whenever someone is tagged, they must sit down, but they can still tag people that run by. The game ends when everyone is sitting.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Explain that in this game everyone is “it”. Before the game begins all players should spread out. When play begins, anyone can tag anyone and they may be tagged by anyone. Whenever someone is tagged, they must sit down, but they can still tag people that run by. The game ends when everyone is sitting.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Target Themes: Introductions, Building Relationships, Our Space, Celebrating Differences
There is a set area of play, and a facilitator who stands on the centerline of that area. The facilitator will say a color, and if a child is wearing that color, they are free to cross the field. If a player is not wearing that color, they must run to cross the area of play. The first player to be tagged by the facilitator is the next ‘gatekeeper’ (the facilitator).
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Variation: Substitute colors for something else (ex: If you have two siblings, cross the field, etc.)
There is a set area of play, and a facilitator who stands on the centerline of that area. The facilitator will say a color, and if a child is wearing that color, they are free to cross the field. If a player is not wearing that color, they must run to cross the area of play. The first player to be tagged by the facilitator is the next ‘gatekeeper’ (the facilitator).
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Variation: Substitute colors for something else (ex: If you have two siblings, cross the field, etc.)
Target Themes: Introductions, Building Relationships, Our Space
Supplies: Soft Balls
The group should stand in a circle. One of the participants starts with a ball and tosses it underhand to someone else in the circle. As they toss the ball they should say “Here you go, .” When the ball is caught the person receiving it should say “Thanks, ___.” After someone catches the ball they should put their arms behind their back so that everyone gets a turn. After everyone has had a turn you can repeat the game starting with the same person and going in the same order, adding more balls to increase the frequency and difficulty of the games.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Supplies: Soft Balls
The group should stand in a circle. One of the participants starts with a ball and tosses it underhand to someone else in the circle. As they toss the ball they should say “Here you go, .” When the ball is caught the person receiving it should say “Thanks, ___.” After someone catches the ball they should put their arms behind their back so that everyone gets a turn. After everyone has had a turn you can repeat the game starting with the same person and going in the same order, adding more balls to increase the frequency and difficulty of the games.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
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: Self Awareness, Celebrating Differences, Our Space,
Supplies: Notecards, Markers
This game may better later in the year when players know one another pretty well.
In this game, students write down three interesting facts about themselves (characteristics, accomplishments, cool events, etc) on a notecard, and the group tries to identify whom the facts describe.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Explain the nature of the game and remind everyone that they are not to explicitly identify themselves on the cards. Then give everyone a note card, and have everyone write down three interesting facts about themselves. Then randomly choose card by card and have the group guess whose card it is based on the facts.
Variation: Instead of having people write their own cards, assign a person to each person to describe in 3 positive facts. Then have the group guess whom the facts describe. Reveal who wrote the facts as well.
Supplies: Notecards, Markers
This game may better later in the year when players know one another pretty well.
In this game, students write down three interesting facts about themselves (characteristics, accomplishments, cool events, etc) on a notecard, and the group tries to identify whom the facts describe.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Explain the nature of the game and remind everyone that they are not to explicitly identify themselves on the cards. Then give everyone a note card, and have everyone write down three interesting facts about themselves. Then randomly choose card by card and have the group guess whose card it is based on the facts.
Variation: Instead of having people write their own cards, assign a person to each person to describe in 3 positive facts. Then have the group guess whom the facts describe. Reveal who wrote the facts as well.
Target Themes: Safe space, Self-Control, Observation
Have the group sit around a large table or kneel in a circle on the floor and begin by placing their hands out in front of them, palms down on the floor or the table. Next, have each person raise their right hand and place it over the left hand of the person on their right. This way, each person’s left and right hand are separated by the right hand of the person on their left and the left hand of the person on their right. The object is to tap hands in the order that hands are placed on the table or floor. For example, if Rachel began by tapping her left hand, it would be followed by Justin’s right, Emily’s left, then Rachel’s right. Practice it once or twice. When everyone feels relatively comfortable with it, introduce a new element to the game. Explain that anyone may reverse the order of the taps by double-tapping. In other words, if Rachel taps her left hand, then Justin taps his right, Emily can send the order back to Justin by tapping her left hand twice. If this happens and Rachel raises her right hand by mistake, her right hand is out. (She must take it off the table or put it behind her back). This continues until all but two players have been eliminated or until time runs out.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Have the group sit around a large table or kneel in a circle on the floor and begin by placing their hands out in front of them, palms down on the floor or the table. Next, have each person raise their right hand and place it over the left hand of the person on their right. This way, each person’s left and right hand are separated by the right hand of the person on their left and the left hand of the person on their right. The object is to tap hands in the order that hands are placed on the table or floor. For example, if Rachel began by tapping her left hand, it would be followed by Justin’s right, Emily’s left, then Rachel’s right. Practice it once or twice. When everyone feels relatively comfortable with it, introduce a new element to the game. Explain that anyone may reverse the order of the taps by double-tapping. In other words, if Rachel taps her left hand, then Justin taps his right, Emily can send the order back to Justin by tapping her left hand twice. If this happens and Rachel raises her right hand by mistake, her right hand is out. (She must take it off the table or put it behind her back). This continues until all but two players have been eliminated or until time runs out.
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: 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: 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: 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.
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.
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.
Back to Fall Themes
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