Games for Everyday


Name: Bump
Ideal # of Participants: 6 - 10
Age: 12 and up
Equipment: 2 basketballs, 1 basketball hoop
Type of Game: Active skill/ Basketball free throw shooting
Description: Participants line up single file behind each other on the free throw line. First 2 people in line have a ball. Game begins by the first person taking a shot, once released the second player shoots and tries to sink a basket before the first. (Can get rebound if shot is missed). If the second player is successful in sinking the basket before the first person, the first person is eliminated or Bumped. If the first person sinks their ball first, they return their ball to the next shooter in line and that person tries to eliminate the person who shot before them. Game continues until there is one person left…The Winner!
Objective: Work on rebounding and shooting skills under pressure. Friendly competition.
Leadership Suggestions: If the children are at a younger age, move the foul line closer to the hoop.
Safety Measures: Stress 'no Contact' while rebounding. Make sure hoop isn't too close to a wall or other potentially harmful structures.
Problem Areas/Recommendations: Not enough hoops to accommodate the number of people. Kids may become over competitive. Have participants of similar ability playing in the same group.

Name: Dodge ball
Ideal # of Participants: 20 or more
Age: 7 and up
Equipment: Sponge nerf ball or a soft ball.
Type of game: Active.
Description: Divide class into two even groups, and put them on either side of the court. Then place a ball in the center of court. The two sides then run to the ball, where the first person to get the ball, they have the ball and the game begins. Each side continues to throw the ball at one another trying to knock off the other side one by one. If a player is hit by the ball they have to run along the outskirts of the court, and go behind the opposing team. This creates an ambush from either side. The winner is declared when there is one person left on the court from either team.
Objective: To eliminate everyone from the other team, by using your team mates cooperation.
Leadership Suggestions: To increase difficulty, add more balls. To have games last longer, the players who are out can have the ability to hit a person from the opposing team and can re-enter the game. Still playing to there is no one left on one side.
Safety measures: Encourage participants to keep the ball below the waist.
Problem Areas/ Recommendations: Kids might get out of hand and throw the ball at the head. To avoid this, penalize the team for this infraction.

Name: Streets and Alleys
Ideal #: 15+
Age: 10+
Equipment: N/A
Type: Active
Description: Group forms even lines standing an arms length apart with arms stretched out.  The leader will explain that when "Streets" is called all lines will stand facing one way and when "Alleys" is yelled all lines will face another way.  Two members from the group will be the cat and mouse. The mouse will get a five second head start and then the cat will begin the chase through the lines of people.  As the leader calls out the instructions, the group will change the look of the course.
Objective: Catch the mouse
Leadership Notes: Try using different terms (cops and robbers, cat and mouse) to motivate different age groups
Safety: Watch out for other people
Problems: N/A

Name: Crab Soccer
Ideal #: 10+
Age: 8+
Equipment: Soccer Ball, goals
Type: Active
Description: Two teams are made in equal numbers. The area is set up like a soccer field, usally done inside. The Idea is to have the player walk on their hand and feet with the stomach facing up. This mimics the way a crab walks. The game is played like soccer, trying to kick the ball in the goal of the opposite team. There is no time limit.
Objective: Fun and Cooperation
Leadership Notes: Change by adding more balls.
Safety: Wacth kicking high and stepping on hands. Keeping the size of the area relative to the number of players.
Problems: Have breaks so arms don't get too tired

Name of Game: Body Parts (back-to-back)
Participants: 8 or more, in even numbers
Age: 8 or older
Equipment: none
Type of Game: Active
Description: Players are assigned partners and are aligned in two lines, rank formation, facing their partner. The lines are approximately 20 meters apart. The leader names two body parts (shoulder to knee), the partners must run towards each other, meet in the middle, touch shoulder to knee and run back to the starting position. The last pair to reach the starting position is out. When back-to-back is called, players run to the middle, go back-to-back with their partner, fall to their bottom and attempt to get up without the use of their arms, again the last pair back is out. The winners are the last remaining group.
Objective: To get the children running, and learning body parts as well (can use anatomical terms in a high school phys. Ed. Class).
Leadership Suggestions: Try to encourage friendly competition to the kids, in order to motivate them.
Problem Areas: Some kids may resort to bashing into their partners.

Name of Game: Pip, Squeek, Charlie
Participants: 12 or more (multiples of 3)
Ages: 8 and older
Equipment: bean bags
Type of Game: Active
Description: Players are put into groups of three and are put in a circle formation, with one member from each group in front and the other two lined up behind him/her. The first player is named Pip, the second player is named Squeek and the last player is named Charlie. When Pip is called he/she must crawl under Squeek and Charlie's legs, run in a clockwise circle around the other groups, run through a human bridge made by his group mates, run into the center of the circle and grab a bean bag. Place less bean bags in the middle than number of groups, groups that get a bean bag, get a point, teams with out a bean bag don't get a point. When Squeek is called, he/she must run through Charlie's legs and do the same as Pip did. Charlie doesn't have to run through the legs, he/she just runs the circle and gets the bag from the middle.
Objective: To gain the most points and get kids to be active.
Leadership Suggestions: Encourage kids not to slide for bean bags, and also try to hype the game up as a big deal.
Problem Areas: Some kids very competitive, will try to impede other kids, can be hazardous on a hard surface, diving for beanbags can cause injuries.

Name of Game: Evolution Participants: 10 or more
Age: 5 and older
Equipment: none
Type of Game: Ice Breaker
Description: Everyone walks around (scatter formation) crouched down acting as an egg. Players try to advance to a chicken by playing rock/paper/scissors, the winner of rock/paper/scissors becomes a chicken (does the chicken walk) and tries to find another chicken to play rock/paper scissors against. The winner becomes a pterodactyl and flips his/her wings and screeches loud like a pterodactyl. The loser is demoted back to egg. Pterodactyls then play against each other with winners staying as pterodactyls and losers being demoted to chickens. Players must only challenge same species to rock/paper/scissors.
Objective: To evolve into a pterodactyl, break the social barrier and meet people by playing the game.
Leadership Suggestions: Encourage the kids to be loud and energetic, this may entice the introverts to become more comfortable and "let loose".
Problem Areas: Young children may not all understand how to play rock/paper scissors.

Name of Game: Shoes Race
# of Participants: 20+ (the more the better)
Age Suitability: All ages
Equipment: All participants have to be wearing shoes.
Type of Game: Race
Description: - Split group into two or more teams.
- Have the participants take off their shoes and place them in a pile
(team 1 pile, team 2 pile, etc.).
- The leader then mixes up the shoes.
- Teams start the race at the same distance from their shoe pile.
- Have the team's race to their pile and find their shoes.
- The first team to have all their shoes on (tied properly) and back at the starting point wins.
Objectives: Fun, teamwork.
Suggestions: - Have the teams line up from the shortest to the tallest person after they have their shoes on before they are considered the winner of the race.
- Have the leader tie some shoes together to make it harder.
Safety Measures: - Make sure that the participants don't push each other while they are trying to find their shoes. Stress teamwork.
Problems:

Name of Game: Marshmallow Chain
# of Participants: 20-30
Age Suitability: 18+ (need mature participants)
Equipment: Bag of marshmallows, tooth picks.
Type of Game: Food
Description: - Split group into two teams.
- Each team member gets a toothpick and forms a line one behind the other.
- The first person (only using the toothpick in their mouth) has to pass the marshmallow on the toothpick to the next person in line.
- No hands can be used. Only the toothpicks in the player's mouths.
- First team to get the marshmallow to the end of the line wins.
Objectives: - Teamwork, fun,
Suggestions: - Have the teams pass the marsh mellow from the front of the line to the back of the line and then back up to the front of the line in order to win the race.
Safety Measures: - Only do this game with mature students as the toothpicks can cause serious injury. - Make sure you pick up all the toothpicks after the race is over.
Problems: - Ensure that you don't use sticky marsh mellows. It makes it harder to pass the marsh mellow down the line.

Name of Game: Donkey Soccer
# of Participants: 20-30
Age Suitability: 16+ (need leg and back strength)
Equipment: Soccer ball, nets or pylons for nets.
Type of Game: Ball
Description: - Split the group into two teams. (give on team piney).
- Have teams get into pairs with someone from the same team (best to pair up with someone of opposite body composition, smaller with bigger).
- On person gets on the back of the other person who is still standing (piggy back ride).
- The teams play a soccer game while in these positions (piggy back position). The team with the most points (1 goal=1 point) wins.
Objectives: Teamwork, entertainment, fun.
Suggestions: - Have the person who is running/standing blindfolded and the person on their back gives the directions as to where the ball is.
Safety Measures: - Ensure that the players know that if they are going to fall or tip over that they let go of each other (especially the person running. Let go of the person on your back).
Problems: - If the participants are not strong enough to carry someone on their back then this game will not be effective/fun.
- It is a very dangerous game so you must keep control of your group.

NAME: Three Legged Soccer
AGE: 14 +
TYPE: trust and team work game
EQUIPMENT: hockey socks, pinies, nets or goal markers and a soccer ball.
OBJECTIVE: to teach people to work as part of a team
IDEAL # OF PEOPLE: 20 +
SAFETY: you must be aware of were your partner is at all times during the game. If your partner falls down then you must stop participating and help them up. Each pair should place one arm around the other person's waist for better balance and cooperation. Do not drag your partner along with you, you must work as a pair.
DESCRIPTION: The group is divided into two teams. One team will put on pinies. Each player must find a partner. The partners will then each place on leg in the hockey sock. Now this game is exactly the same as soccer, the point is to score on the opposing teams net. Players are not allowed to use their hands to touch the ball only their feet. They must at all times remain attached to their partners.
SUGGESTIONS: enforce the idea that when your partner falls you must help them up and not drag them alone with you.

NAME: Line up/Sorting Challenge
AGE SUITABILITY: 10 +
TYPE OF GAME: Icebreaker
EQUIPMENT: none
OBJECTIVE: to challenge the listening and communication skills in the players, and provide opportunity for the players to learn each other's names.
IDEAL # OF PEOPLE: 12 + (if group is larger than 20 split into two groups)
SAFETY: some kids may begin to push others when organizing line
DESCRIPTION: Divide players into group depending on the number of participants involved. Standing in rank formation direct players on the object of the game and the rules that apply. Challenge the group to rearrange themselves in the orders specified as quickly as possible.
o Organize group in alphabetical order according to first name without speaking to one another.
o Organize group in order according to the length of their hair.
o Organize group in order according to how well cooked they like their eggs.
o Organize group in order according to your opinion (like/dislike) about Brittany Spears.
Every group does not need to be finished before beginning the next sort. As each group finishes give then the next sort, depending on limited time. After each sort, have the players say hello and introduce themselves to the person beside them. This will help to reinforce their names.
SUGGESTIONS: vary the organization to age appropriate questions.      

  Name of Game: Chinese Dragons
Ideal Number of Participants: 20+
Age Suitability: 8+
Equipment: whistle
Type of Game: Any Occasion
Description: Players are divided into teams of about 4-6 (depending on number of participants), and each team forms a dragon by lining up and grabbing the person in front by the waist. Dragons stand at the far corners of a gym (of field). At the whistle, the dragons set out trying to tag the other dragons. If the player at the dead of the dragon touches the player at the tail of another dragon, the latter is eliminated. The last surviving player is the winner.
Objective: team work, cooperation, fun, and leadership, active
Leadership Suggestions: In order to let everyone have a chance to be the head of the dragon, every time the whistle is blown (about every minute or two) the tail becomes the head of the dragon. Another suggestion is to have the players that are tagged out form a line linking hands between each other's legs (forming an "elephant"). Once 5 players become an elephant, the elephant can turn back into a dragon and continue on in the game.
Safety Measures: Ensure playing area is free of obstacles.
Problem Areas / Recommendations:

NAME: Biz Buzz
IDEAL #: 10+
AGE: 15+
EQUIPMENT: N/A
TYPE: IceBreaker
DESCRIPTION: Have group sit in a circle. Game begins by someone saying the number "one" next person "two" and so on. When numbers reach "six" the player says "biz" instead of "six" and the number calling changes directions. "Biz" is stated in place of any number with a 6 in it (eg.26) or a multiple of 6 (eg.24). When group becomes comfortable with the "biz" introduces "buzz" in place of "seven"
OBJECTIVE: group works together to reach highest number they can
LEADERSHIP NOTES: to start the game leader may help the group by pointing and coaching group to say the correct numbers until they get the hang of it.
SAFETY: N/A
PROBLEMS: Individuals may become very uncomfortable if they are continuously centered out because of poor math

Name of Game:  Giants, Wizards, and Elves
Ideal Number of participants:  2+
Age Suitability:  7+
Equipment:  None
Type of Game:  Icebreaker
Description:  A life size game of paper rock scissors. Two teams each stand in a line facing each other. There are three things each team can choose to be: a giant, a wizard, or an elf. (The whole team must be the same thing)  A giant beats a wizard; a wizard beats an elf, and an elf beats a giant.  Once each team has chosen what they are going to be, they stand in their lines and the teacher yells go.  The two teams run towards each other and stop at a line (can be imaginary) in the middle, where they perform their action.  The losing team must try to run back to their starting line because the winning team is to chase the losing team and try to catch as many of them as they can.  Those who are caught must then go join the other team.  The object is to capture everyone to be on the same team.
Leadership Suggestions:  As an icebreaker game, this allows people to act silly all together, so they're not afraid to stand out in a group they just met.
Safety: Keep the area free of obstacles; emphasize 'tagging' members of the opposite team, not tackling.
Problem Areas: In large groups, it can be a slow process of deciding what action the whole group is going to do.

Name of Game: Human Pretzel or Human Knot
Ideal Number of Participants: 8-12 per group (as many groups as you want)
Age Suitability: 10+
Equipment: None
Type of Game: Icebreaker
Description of Game: Once groups are made tell them to get into a circle. Everybody must put their right hand into the center and grab ahold of somebody else's hand. Once everybody has a hand you then stick in your left hand and repeat the same thing without letting go of the right hand. Now instruct the group to unwind or untangle themselves without letting go of their hands. The first group to unwind the pretzel is the winner.
Objective: have fun, build on communication, meet new people, cooperation
Leadership Suggestions: Take it slow and talk it through to prevent injury, communicate with each other.
Safety: Be aware of individual's who have injuries to wrist, back or knees and tell them to be careful. Problem Areas: Some kids may not like to hold hands so maybe you could join in to make them feel more comfortable.

Name of Game: Hand Tap Game Ideal Number of Participants: 10-20
Age Suitability: 13+
Equipment: None
Type of Game: Passive, quiet game
Description: Group forms a circle and crosses arms with the person beside them with their palm on the ground. One person is selected to begin the game and taps their hand, by raising it up then down. One tap signals the tapping to flow clockwise and two taps signals the tapping to change directions to counter clockwise. The tapping follows the circle around until someone misses the natural rhythm of the tapping or raises their hand in early anticipation resulting in a tap out of turn. This individual then removes themselves from the tapping circle and are out. To begin the tapping circle again when someone is eliminated the next person in line simply begins the tapping to flow in the clockwise direction.
Objective: To be the last person eliminated from the circle and to have fun.
Leadership Suggestions: 1) Individuals that are eliminated from the game early can reform another circle and play the game again.
2) Instead of eliminating the person from the game if they make a mistake they can just lose a hand and only have one remaining hand in the game. Once they are eliminated they can begin suggestion 1).
3) Can introduce a fist instead of a tap once players have caught on to the game. A fist could mean to skip the next hand in line, thus the tapping would continue in the same direction with the next person continuing the tapping motion.
4) A great game to settle kids down with after activity.
Safety Measures: None
Problem Areas/ Recommendations: People out first may get bored

Name of Game: Potato Dump
Ideal Number of Participants: 10+
Age Suitability: 16+
Equipment: Several buckets, bag of potatoes and several chairs
Type of Game: Active relay
Description: Divide group into rows of 5-10 people. Have a chair at the front of each row with potatoes on the chair (as many potatoes as are people in the row). A bucket is placed 20 feet away in line with the chair. The first person in line takes a potato and places it between their bum checks. Once the potato is secure, the participant walks as quickly as possible to the bucket, and "dumps" the potato into the bucket. Once the potato is dumped, the participant runs back to the row, touches the next person and sits at the end of the line. This continues until everyone has dumped the potato. If a potato is dropped on route to the bucket, it must be put back between the bum cheeks at the place where the potato was dropped. The first team to finish the relay wins.
Objectives: To have fun, to work cooperatively and to involve some competition.
Leadership Suggestions: Be sure all participants are wearing loose, appropriate clothing. Emphasize that the potato should not touch any skin. If someone is having difficulty, suggest that they put the potato between their legs.
Safety Measures: Be sure no one is allergic to potatoes, be sure the group is mature enough to play the game. Tell participants the potatoes to not have to go "up" their bum.
Problem Areas/Recommendations: If people are having trouble holding the potatoes between their bum cheeks, put them between the legs. Also you can be sure to use small potatoes, not large ones.

Name of Game: Planes, Trains, Automobiles and Canoes
Ideal # of Participants: 10 to 20
Age: 5 and up
Equipment: none
Type of Game: Icebreaker, Interactive Game
Description: Come up with four or more different actions and demonstrate them to the group. example plane, train, automobile and canoeing. Make the group stand in a circle with someone in the middle when you point to him or her say an action and they must do that action. If you catch them off guard or they do the wrong action then they have to go into the middle.
Objective: to make everyone feel comfortable with one another by doing silly actions. Make people think.
Leadership Suggestions:
-Add more people in the middle to make the participants have to be more alert.
-Make the actions crazier or with sound effects so there are less feeling of self-consciousness.
-Make the game harder you could make the group associate the word with something else for example," how are you going to get to China" they would respond with the "plane" action. "How are you going to get to Alaska, they could respond with the "canoe" action. So you say one word and they have to think of the proper response.
-The better your demonstration of the actions the more the group gets into it.
Safety Measures: Make sure the circle is spread out far enough to do the actions and your surface area is free from harmful things, such as glass.
Problem Area & Recommendations:
-Make sure the actions are not offensive to people, and appropriate for the age group and theme.
-Make sure everyone is involved.

Ship Shore
Participants: Any
Age:5+
Type of Game: Active
Equipment: None
Description: Participants are told the boundaries of the game. One end of Boundary is the Ship. The other end is the Shore. Participants must run between these ends as directed by the Leader. There are other actions that can be thrown in to make the game more fun: hit the deck (lay down on the ground), Octopus (sitting with arms flailing), Submarine (lying on back with one leg up in the air), captain (salute), captains daughter (flip hair and whistle).
Objective: get moving and have fun
Leadership Directions: explain actions before the game
Safety Measures: Ensure that the boundaries are not walls to prevent participants crashing into the walls.
Problem Areas/recommendations: this is a fast paced game and becomes tiring quite quickly. Use only as a warm-up activity or when needing a quick game.