Ready... Set... Go!

The best game ideas, resources and activities for birthday parties, picnics, youth groups, summer camps, company events, educators, family life, home schooling or just for the fun of it. And the winner is... How to Entertain Kids These little people are a blessing, but there comes a time in every parent's life that you just want to get rid of them, if only for a while. They may do cute little things and look at you with their little eyes but a kid will not understand that mommy wants to work or simply daddy needs some alone time. Parents who have kids and work from home have to deal with this all too often. They tend to throw tantrums when they do not get what they want too. Granted, Kids will always be kids and you need to entertain them well so that you can deal with other things. Some of the ways you can do that is getting them to make their own art projects. If you are homeschooling your kids, you know which art classes they enjoy most, and you know the personalities of each of your kids. Getting them to make interesting art pieces when there seems to be nothing in the weather to favor their outdoor games is easy. Let every child explore his skills and talents in the arts and make sure everyone is doing something in his age brackets. In this

book you will found advices, games and theories for all ages. Lets start. Keep in mind: 1 Never leave the kids alone. They might draw on walls or get into something they shouldn't be in. Keep them occupied and bring lots of fun games. 2 Make a Fun Bag. In the fun bag you could have candy (if they are allowed), movies, coloring pages, stickers, books, games, and crafts, as well as various things for you when the kids go to sleep. The things in the Fun bag should consider the age of the children you are babysitting, as very young children will appreciate different things to older children. 3 When the kids start to get fussy or antsy, ask them if they want to color / do a project / play a game. They say yes and, voila! Fun bag! 4 Play with the children. They won't like it if you don't play. So, take out the thing they want to do. If you are doing a project or coloring and you have messy toddlers, let them help put down newspaper or a plastic mat to protect floors and tables. Have fun and they will be able to tell and enjoy your presence more.

5 For projects; when making things if you can make it edible it's good. Some finger painting recipes are edible. (Vanilla yogurt with food coloring)No-bake cookies are delicious and easy! 6 Little kids also love doing things for themselves. Let them pour or stir their own drinks, make their own peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, or help you make cookies. It helps pass the time while teaching them skills, and they will feel more involved and grown up instead of you taking over everything. 7 Put a chair by the sink for the kids to stand on, and let them help you wash the dishes. (Take out sharp objects like forks hiding in the suds so they don't get poked accidentally.) Being allowed to help you wash the dishes can be a reward for young children. 8 Be patient with the children if they start getting bored or miserable, show them the things they have brought and encourage them to play. If they don't want to do something in particular, find something else for them to do. 9 Take them outside! Ride bikes, go to the park, walk the dog, anything outdoors will run their energy out! Make sure to be very careful because the outdoors also has many hazards.

10 Play fun age appropriate games. Don't do something that is to old for the kids because you want parents to want you to come back. Also, when playing with the child, be sure to not be rough with them especially when you have a younger age group. This may turn them off and somebody could get hurt. Musical chairs is a fun game appropriate of all ages. The kids would love that. But make sure the chairs are small enough for the kids. 11 Make or buy play-dough. If you have a recipe that doesn't involve cooking on the stove, you can have the kids help make it. If you don't have the materials needed for play-dough, you can make something called Ooblek with simply water and cornstarch. This is especially good because it doesn't involve dangerous, hot ovens or sharp objects. Do this outside of course, as it is extremely messy, but that's the fun of it! Ooblek is a solid and a liquid. It is really fun!! 12 Pick a movie appropriate for the age group you're babysitting. Pop some popcorn and put the popcorn in individual bowls for each child (if they are young). Give each child a ticket awhile before the movie. Be the ticket-taker at

the door to the room, and give each child a bowl of popcorn. Then turn off the lights and start the movie! 13 Make a tent! Use chairs and big blankets. Fill the inside with pillows and blankets. After it's made, you can tell (or read!) stories. If it's possible, make it over a TV, so the TV is inside, and you have a movie theater! If the children are 4 or older (and less likely to make a mess), pop some popcorn to get the great movie atmosphere! 14 Remember, toddlers love anything that keeps them active. If everyone's bored, take out some scarves, turn on the music, and dance! If you have a lot of children, play freeze tag, or a team game where EVERYONE needs to be involved.For most kids under the age of 5, hide and seek may have some hazards. 15 Teach them a song! Old Macdonald had a farm, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Baa Baa Black Sheep, Happy Birthday or the ABC song are good. Bring along a kiddie music CD or download some kid music onto your iPod, and play it. Kids love dancing, singing, and music. 16

Play the "Do not laugh" Game. Sit the kids down into a semi-circle and make funny faces. Whoever laughs first has to make silly faces with you. The last person not to laugh wins! Give all the kids a small prize, like a colorful band-aid or a half of a cookie. 17 Let them be the babysitter! First have the kids "feed you lunch" by having them give you an already prepared snack, like fruit snacks and a juice box. Then, let them decide the game you play next or what their snack is. 18 If they are shy or scared ask them around he house. If they still dont do anything then wait and make silly faces, soon they will trust and accept you more. 19 If the child feels unwell, and the parents aren't available, consider the situation. Do they have a slight tummy ache or are they bleeding? If they are bleeding or anything as bad, take them to A&E, whereas, if they have a slight tummy ache, tuck them into bed and read them stories, or draw with them. 20 Firstly I would suggest that you need to give them quiet a lot of attention, many of them get

bored and that is when why they become naughty. Try playing games that you think children might find exciting. Older children about age 10 may enjoy board games or things that are not so energetic that younger kids may like, ask them what they like playing first because some children may not like things that are suggested to play. Rainy days and children sometimes don't mix very well. When you can't let the kids play outside, you can make free or inexpensive toys from items you already have around the house. Mix liberaly with an abundance of childhood imagination to create an unlimited source of entertainment. 1. Stores. Save all your empty food boxes for for a week or so and you'll soon have a store any aspiring grocer would be proud of. Gluing down the flaps makes cereal boxes, jelly packets etc. look unopened. Clothes, shoes, and toys can all be used as "stock." Paper or plastic bags and real or play money add to the fun. 2. Paper balls. When the kids keep arguing suggest they throw something at each other! Paper balls are easily scrunched up from torn out magazine pages to make "ammo." When

it's time to clean up, stand the waste paper basket in the middle of the room and see who can throw the most in. A rolled up magazine makes a good "bat." 3. Doctors/Nurses. A roll of white toilet tissue makes this game much more fun as dads, grandparents, teddy bears or dolls are mummified before your eyes. Plastic medicine spoons and cardboard box hospital beds for toys are extra props that make the game last longer. 4. Tubes. Cardboard tubes from kitchen wrap or foil make instant telescopes for sailors and pirates, or tunnels through which to roll marbles. Babies love to watch things disappear then reappear out of the bottom. Don't leave them alone with the cardboard tube though, because they probably will suck on it. 5. Boxes. Cardboard boxes must be about the best free toys you can get. Push in the ends of large ones to make tunnels and caves to crawl through. Draw on windows and doors with felt tip pens to make a house, add a flag and portholes for a boat or paper plates for a car or bus steering wheel.

6. Miniature gardens. Foil trays from pies and prepared foods make great containers for miniature gardens. Children can enjoy hunting around the park or garden for twigs to make trees, moss for a lawn, stones to arrange as a rockery or a waterfall. Keep twigs or stones where you want them with a little blue tack or plasticine. Add toy people or animals and maybe a little water if the container is watertight. This can be a very creative and enjoyable exercise if you have children of very different age groups to entertain. A variation is to use play sand (not builder's sand - it stains everything yellow) to make a beach scene, maybe adding shells, stones and a blue paper sea. 7. Paper puppets. A picture of anything colourful bird, clown's face, animal or cartoon character, carefully cut out by an adult and stuck to the top of a strip of card about five inches long and one and a half inches wide becomes a very easily made puppet. These give such pleasure and are so easy to make that you probably will end up with dozens of them. Magazine pictures can be stuck to folded card for theatre set background and wings.

8. Potato prints. After cutting a potato in half, draw on a simple shape. A triangle, circle or star perhaps. Cut away the rest of the potato, leaving a shape to dip into paint and print onto paper. 9. Forts. Building a fort must be one of the most memorable parts of childhood as we all seem to recall the bliss of blankets draped over the backs of chairs. Even today's sophisticated kids seem to find the thought much more exciting than just erecting a store-bought plastic play house. The secret is to give structural advice about making the thing stay upright, but let the children do as much as possible themselves. Really large boxes of the type that washing machines and fridges come in can be had for the asking from big appliance stores and are useful for rooms within forts. One of the simplest forts can be made by throwing a large sheet or blanket over a table. Cushions, flashlights, cookies and comics or books all will be needed at the housewarming. 10. String. Children find a million uses for string, from tying up toy "Bad Guys" to making a washing line for doll's clothes. It can be tied to chair legs to make a jump, dipped into paint and twirled on to paper, plaited, knitted with,

made into a parachute or mobile, used as a measuring aid or for learning how to tie shoelaces and bows. It need never linger in the kitchen drawer again. 11. Sewing cards. Stick a picture on a stiff card or draw a simple duck, car or teddy bear shape. With a large darning needle push holes around the outline of your design about one inch apart. Using brightly colored wool in the needle or a long bootlace, thread in and out of the holes. 12. Stilts. You need to do a little drilling for this one. Take two strong cans, coffee or clean paint cans are ideal, and drill a hole about one inch from the top on opposite sides of the can. Insert a length of string and knot securely. Check that the handle is at a comfortable length for the child before knotting the other side. These are always very popular, but never leave young children alone with them especially near stairs or steps. 13. Cafes. Children's tea sets are a handy prop for this game, but a picnic set or microwave cookware is just as good. Giving the server a little notebook and pencil to take orders and making a tall white hat from a cylinder of paper

for the chef will add realism. Sit dolls and teddy bears around as well as willing Aunts and Grannies for extra customers. 14. Playdough. Mix together two cups flour, one cup salt, one cup water, one tablespoon oil and a few drops of food coloring for an easy to make dough that will keep for about three weeks if you wrap it in plastic wrap and keep it in the fridge. All you have to do is knead the mixture well. Divide the mixture up first if you want to make more than one color. 15. Obstacle course. An obstacle course can turn a rainy day into an adventure. Use whatever you have available. A bench to walk the plank, cushion stepping stones across shark infested seas, through a cardboard box tunnel, up a chair mountain or through a blanket cave. The wilder your imagination the more your children will love it. 16. Boats. Recycle your empty margarine cartons. Use them as boats for the bath or wading pool. These are so easy even very young children can help to make them. Cut out triangular sail shapes from white or colored paper. Make a small hole at the top and bottom of the sail so you can push through a straw to make a mast.

Let the child attach this to the bottom of a clean margarine tub with a lump of blue tack or clay. These boats sail extremely well and even will take a couple of toy people on an exciting cruise. 17. Capes. Nurses, kings, queens, Batman, Superman - they all need capes or cloaks. Luckily, capes are easy to make by attaching ribbon ties to an piece of fabric the color of your child's favourite caped character. Keep an eye on them though, as anything tied around the neck could be dangerous. 18. Leaf art. Collect leaves and draw around them. This is fun for little ones and an educational tree identification game for older children. Color in the details with crayons or paints. The leaves could then be stuck onto paper collage style or dipped into paint, then pressed firmly onto paper for a lovely leaf print. 19. Make a puzzle. Stick a favorite picture on a card and allow to dry with a heavy book on top. Cut into pieces (how many depending on the age of the child) for an almost instant and personal puzzle.

Here are the top 10 ways to entertain your young child for $1 or less: 1. Large cardboard boxes - Perfect for making houses and small castles. A large cardboard box can entertain an imaginative child for hours. Make sure you are nearby to take pictures and plenty of door knocking. Hint: look for an appliance store in your area. They often have many of the large boxes they are willing to give you as opposed to putting in the trash. 2. Rubber band and pencil crazy bot - A simple toy you probably remember from elementary school. Take two unsharpened pencils and wrap a rubber band around the center. Twist the pencils lengthwise against each other (as you would wind a propeller on a toy plane). Set down flat on a table and let the jumping begin. Teach your child not to twist the rubber band too tightly or it will break. Make sure to have plenty of extra rubber bands handy just in case. 3. Make a paper popper - What do kids like more than birthday cake? Noise of course. Here's a little noisemaker you remember from grade school. To make: 1. Fold a sheet of copier paper lengthwise down the middle - open the sheet back up and lay flat 2. Fold all four corners of the paper inward toward the center crease

3. Fold the sheet of paper in half the other way keeping all four corners folded inward - you will end up what looks vaguely like a stealth aircraft 4. With the point facing away from you, grab the right side and fold it upward so the bottom is parallel with the crease 5. Do the same with the left side 6. Unfold so you are back to the stealth fighter 7. Using the crease as a reference, tuck the upper right hand corner into the popper. 8. Repeat with the other side. It will look like a diamond. 9. Lastly, Fold it one more time so it looks like a triangle. 10. Hold from the bottom and as if you were pitching a baseball, flip the popper rapidly through the air. The inward folded corner will "POP" out making a fun and satisfying sound. 4. Home Depot Kids Workshop - The huge hardware conglomerate is a great refuge for Dads everywhere, but now they offer kids workshops one Saturday per month (check your local Home Depot for time and location). At the workshop kids learn how to build birdhouses, bat houses, stock car racers, airplanes, wooden flowerpot holders and more. It's a great Saturday morning activity where your kids can learn the skills necessary

to fix your roof when you get too old to climb up there. 5. Plant something - A simple way to teach young children how to take care of a living organism is to plant something. You can use containers made of old plastic cups with holes in the bottom or you can plant outdoors depending on the season. Digging in dirt is great fun for a child. They are also thrilled when the little baby plant awakens from the soil. Suddenly, they have something fragile to take care of. Hint: I find that planting green beans provides the quickest results. Bean plants begin to poke their heads through the soil in just a few short days. 6. Water sprinkler - While watering the lawn, water your kids too. On a hot summer day, your grass needs 30 minutes of water. Send your kid out in a bathing suit and you'll kill two birds with one stone. 7. Bubbles bubbles everywhere - Kids and adults alike love to blow bubbles. Mix up your own batch by pouring a teaspoon or so of dish soap into a cup and adding approximately 3 teaspoons of water. Stir and then test. You can make a free bubble wand by unbending a large paperclip and folding it back into a triangle with a small handle. You may need to add a little more soap or water to get the perfect bubble. Hint: pour the bubble solution into a small plate so it's easier to get the bubble film onto the bubble wand.

8. Catch Fireflies - As a kid, I remember fond days of catching fireflies and putting them into a mayo jar with holes punched in the lid. Your kids will love it too. If you don't have wooded areas in your yard, you can find a park. The fireflies should begin to light the sky around dusk. Teach your kids how to gently catch them by letting them land in their hand. You can collect them into a jar, but please be sure to let them go at the end of the evening so they don't die. (This teaches responsibility and respecting nature.) 9. Paper airplanes - Up in the air with the greatest of ease. Teaching your child how to make and fly a paper airplane is one of the childhood rights of passage. It can foster a love of origami as well as a Lifehacker mindset of building your own toys. Simple airplane instructions (see pictures): 1. Fold a piece of copier paper in half lengthwise 2. With the crease closest to you, fold the top right corner down so that it lines up with the bottom crease. 3. Do the same thing on the other side. 4. Grab the top corner on one side and bend it downward so the crease on top of the paper is lined up with the crease at the bottom. 5. Turn the plane over and fold the other side the same way.

6. Fold it in the same manner one more time, by taking the top crease and lining it up with the bottom crease and folding. 7. Lather rinse, repeat on the other side. 8. Then fold the last two creases outward perpendicular to the bottom of the plane. 9. Fly away! 10. Tin can and string telephone - You don't necessarily need tin cans for this project. Two plastic or styrofoam cups and some twine will do. 1. Using a tack or the end of a pin, punch a hole into the center of the bottom of each cup. 2. Cut a piece of light string 25 feet or longer. 3. Feed one end of the string through the hole of one of the cups 4. Tie a large knot on the string so it doesn't fall back through the hole. 5. Feed the other end of the string through the other cup and tie a knot like you did for the first cup. 6. Now give the cup to your child and walk away from each other until the string is tight. 7. Now you can whisper back and forth into your child's new telephone. This project gets your child's physics education off to a great start by teaching

vibration and harmonics. Hint: Try the phone under doors and around corners of your house. If you keep the string taut it will still work. 1. Create a Fort: Use chairs, blanket and pillows and make a tent/fort in the living room 2. Dance: Put on some fun music and have a dance party! 3. Scavenger Hunt: Create a list of items either inside the house on a rainy day, or outside on a nice day and have your kids collect or find the items on the list! If you do it right, this activity could take a good hour or so! 4. Sock Puppets: Find some of Dads old holey socks and make some fun puppets! Use yarn, buttons, felt and any fun things you can find around the house. When the puppets are done, have a puppet show! 5. Fashion Show: Try on different outfits and strike some funky poses on the catwalk!! You can even take pictures to remember this fun filled activity!! 6. Chalk: Have some fun on the sidewalk or driveway making masterpieces that can easily wash away! You can even create games on the ground such as hop-scotch and four square! 7. Play-Doh Art: You can buy some play-doh at the store and kids will have a great time making different shapes! Make sure you buy washable play-doh so it will come out of their clothes if this activity gets a little messy!

8. Bubbles: This can be done inside on a rainy day or outside when its sunny! You can either buy bubbles or create your own by using soapy water and forming an ok sign with your thumb and first finger! 9. Sack Races: Most people dont have potato sacks, so you can use old pillowcases instead! 10. Turn on the Sprinklers: On a hot summer day water your lawn and have some fun with the kids! 11. Water Balloons: You can find cheap water balloons at the Dollar Store usually. Fill the balloons up and you can have a balloon toss or just have a water balloon fight!! Either way it will be loads of fun and the kids will enjoy getting a little wet!! 12. Bake: On a rainy day pull out your oven mits and get cooking! Create cookie people, make cupcakes, decorate a cake, either way you and the kids will both have fun and youll have a treat afterwards!! You can even keep the entertainment going by having the kids help you clean up when youre done!! 13. Create: Use crayons, markers, washable paints and poster board to create pictures as presents or just to hand around the house! 14. Swing Batta Batta: Either buy a piata or create one using paper mache. Fill it with some treats and use a plastic bat or a big stick to have some fun!

15. Car Wash: Is your car dirty? Get the kids to help you wash the car! Theyll enjoy getting wet and youll have a nice clean car!! 16. Macaroni Art: Use elbow macaroni and glue on paper to make pictures or make jewelry if you have string available. The kids can even use markers to color the macaroni! 17. Fly a Kite: You can buy kites at Wal-mart or even make them with paper, glue, popsicle sticks and string! 18. Camp Out: If you have a back-yard, you can set up tents and a campfire (remember fire safety!!). Roast marshmallows, tell stories around the fire, and watch the stars! The kids will love playing with flash-lights and this is a great way to spend quality time together as a family without being glued to the television! 19. Finger Paint: Get some non-toxic, washable paints at an Arts and Crafts store and spending the afternoon getting messy! You can even make edible paint by using vanilla pudding and food coloring! 20. Jewelry: Pick up some beads and string at an Arts and Crafts store and make some cute and fun jewelry! 21. Obstacle Course: You can create an outdoor obstacle course using cardboard boxes, swing sets, slides and other toys to make a fun way to get some exercise! 22. Board Games: On a rainy day, pull out the Candy Lands, Chutes and Ladders, etc and have some good old traditional fun while

bringing back some of your own childhood memories!! 23. Collections: You can collect rocks, bugs, leaves, stamps, marbles, arrow heads, etc. 24. Murals: Use a card board box and washable paints to make a mural. 25. Tie- Dying: You can tie dye anything from shirts to scrunchies to tote bags! You can find tie dye kits at your local arts and crafts store. 26. 26. Go Old School: Go back to the good ole days and play Simon Says, I Spy and any other game you used to play as a child! 27. Karaoke: If you have a karaoke machine, this can be a great way to get the whole family involved in some fun. If you dont have a machine, you can buy DVDs to play in the DVD player. 28. Wormery: Use Tupperware and soil then you can either buy or dig up worms. Then you can feed the worms compost items and eventually, it will make great soil for gardening! 29. Movie Night: Find a good family movie and make some popcorn! You can even bring out blankets and pillows and get extra comfortable! 30. Pictures: Buy a disposable camera and let the kids go wild, they will enjoy taking pictures of all sorts of things! Even if they arent the best of pictures, a disposable camera will allow the kids to get a little messy and not have to worry about ruining an

expensive camera. Then you can get the pictures printed and put them in a scrapbook. 31. Popsicle stick crafts: You can use Popsicle sticks and glue to make birdhouses, picture frames and all sorts of crafts! 32. Puzzles: You can take pictures and make copies on printer paper. Glue the picture to a piece of cardboard then cut it into pieces and have the kids put them back together! The size of the pieces can vary depending on the childs age. 33. Me, Myself and I: You can get a large piece of paper from an arts and craft supply store and have the child lay down on the paper. Then trace their outline and let them color themselves in! This can be a very fun activity as well as give you an insight as to how the child feels about themselves! 34. Go for a walk: You can take the pets or just the family. Either way this is an activity that not only lets you spend some quality time with your kids, but also promotes a healthy lifestyle. 35. Mummies: Take a roll of toilet paper and let the kids wrap themselves around and around in it to look like mummies!! Then take pictures and have fun! If you have a group of kids, you can have a race to see who can get done first! If you are worried about wasting a expensive roll of toilet paper, go to the dollar store and get a cheap roll!

36. Bugs: If you live near a creek or lake, take the kids and let them look under rocks for different kinds of bugs, you can even do research before hand and use this as a learning activity as well! 37. Plant: Use bathroom size Dixie cups and soil to create a planting pot. Then take dry lima beans and plant them. With in less than a week, you will start to see signs of growth! 38. Theme Days: You can fill an entire day with activities surrounding a specific theme. For example, have a Pirates Day Hold a treasure hunt, talk like pirates, wear eye patches and pirate hats! The options are endless and it can be a lot of fun to even include the kids in the planning of the day! 39. Decorate: If its close to a holiday, you can have the kids help you make some simple holiday decorations and they can even help you decorate. You will accomplish two things in one! 40. Paper Shapes: You can cut out snowflakes or other shapes from construction paper and the kids can decorate them! 41. Snowmen: In the winter, spend some time outside with the kids and have some fun in the snow! Make a snowman, go sledding or have a snowball fight! 42. X-Mas in July: If you feel crafty and want to have a little fun, you can have x-mas in july! Get some small Christmas presents, decorate, bake cookies and make a nice

dinner! You can even set up a little Christmas tree if you want! The kids will have fun and in such a hot time of the year, you can bring a little bit of winter into your home! 43. Make Play-Doh: You need Wax Paper, 1 Cup Flour, Cup of Salt, 1 Cup of Water, 2 Tbsp Oil, 2 Tbsp Cream of Tartar Mix flour, salt and oil, and slowly add the water. Cook over medium heat, stirring until dough becomes stiff. Turn out onto wax paper and let cool. Knead the play-doh with your hands until of proper consistency. 44. Salon: If you have girls, you can have a salon day. Do up their hair, paint their nails, and do some light make-up you can roll this into a dress up, fashion show if you have time! 45. Picnic: This can be done at your local park or even in your back yard. Make some cool meal items and lay a blanket of the ground or eat a picnic table! You can even take your pets with you if you want! 46. Local Parks: Often local parks will have activities scheduled through out the summer that you can attend for free or for a small fee. 47. Local Museums: Museums can be a great learning activity for kids of all ages! Check out your local museums and see if they offer any childrens programs. They are often cheap in price and can keep kids entertained for hours!

48. Libraries: Some libraries offer book readings or other educational activities for children, often for free. 49. Car Ride: You can take the kids for a simple car ride and play games like I Spy and the Alphabet game while driving! The kids might even fall asleep and then youll get some peace and quite for a little while! 50. Sand Castles: If you are close enough, you can take the kids to the beach for the day. Make sand castles, swim and let them have some fun in the sun!

Group Games
1.Marco Polo Blindfold one child and tell them to yell "Marco!". The other children all yell "Polo!", and the person who is "it" can move closer to them by listening to where their voices are coming from, until they get close enough to touch someone else, and then they're "it". If it's a nice day outside, do this activity out of doors, where there aren't as many breakables around. 2. Red Light-Green Light You can play it best in a big indoor area, or outside. Have one person stand with arms stretched out, and yell either "red light" or "green light". Everyone else must run on green, and stop on red. The winner is the first one to arrive at the designated spot, while

anyone who runs on red or stops on green is "out". 3. Duck-Duck-Goose This game will keep young kids amused for awhile, which can be a very good thing. Have the children sit in a loose circle, and have the person playing "it" go around this circle while they say "duck" or "goose". When they tap and say "goose", the person who was tapped has to run with the tapping child around the oval. If the tap-ee reaches their seat first, the "goose" has to stay in the center, also called the "pot". 2. Coloring Coloring as also a good way how to entertain your kids. It sounds boring if you're an adult, but when the weather is bad, it's a very good project for filling time. If you have younger children, you will want them to color with crayons, since they are non-toxic. If they're a bit older, you can use markers or colored pencils, but be careful none get chewed on, as they can be dangerous if swallowed. 3. Cooking Kids love helping out in the kitchen and you'll have a yummy treat too! It's fun for kids to create different food ideas, especially if the weather outside is frightful. Use bananas and add candy pieces and raisins to them, in order to make them into people. When you make sandwiches, use various shaped cookie cutters that make sandwiches different shapes. Use healthy and natural foods

whenever you can, so they'll have a fun and healthy treat. Snowball Wars 1. If the snow has a texture somewhere in between powder and solid ice, it is ideal for packing (just make sure it's not too icy, or it could be dangerous). A great game to play in this kind of snow is Snowball Wars. Split into two teams. Each team should build its own snowball fort, approximately 10 feet away from the other team's fort. Your kids can make their fort as fat or as high as they want -the idea is to make your structure sturdier than the other person's. After your forts are built, each side has five minutes to collect ammo. They can either pile extra snow behind their fort to roll into snowballs later, or they can make a stack of snowballs now, it's up to them. When the five minutes are up, the war begins. Each side has to knock down the other person's fort using only snowballs. If you like, impose a time limit on the war so that, for example, whoever does the most damage to the other team's fort in 10 minutes wins. Sled Races 2. If the snow is too icy for snowball fights, and you are lucky enough to have a hill in your

yard (or within easy walking distance), try having sled races. Don't worry if you don't own a sled --- garbage can lids, cooking trays, inflatable pool toys, plastic laundry baskets and even old mattresses make great homemade sleds. Have your kids pick out their favorite, and then organize a race from the top of the hill to the bottom. If you have a stopwatch or a watch with a second hand, you can also time your kids so they can try to beat their own best record. Ring Around the Snowman 2. If you've already built a snowman to decorate your front yard, have some fun with him. Look for an old hula hoop, and then, while standing 5 to 10 feet away from the snowman, try to throw the hoop over him. If you don't own a hula hoop, use a top hat or other solid-brimmed cap to try and throw onto his head. Scavenger Hunt 3. Before your kids go outside in the morning, hide a few objects around the yard, such as coins or frozen ice pops. Then you can either draw out a treasure map, or just send your kids hunting without a clue. Whoever finds the hidden treats first gets to keep them. This is a

good game if the snow is too powdery to build snowmen or forts. Tug of War 5. Use food coloring to draw a line in the snow. Then get a long rope and have each team hold one end of it. When you say go, each team will try to drag the other one across the line. What's the benefit of playing this game in winter rather than spring? No mud stains when your kids fall across the line.

Ways to Entertain Kids in the Car

No matter where you're going, or in what season, if your family will be in the car for an hour or more its crucial to know ways to entertain kids in the car. In fact knowing a few good ways to entertain kids in the car can help everyone survive and actually enjoy time on the road together. Some ways to entertain kids in the car will work for your kids and some won't. But by continually adding new ways to entertain kids in the car to your family's list of favorites, you can take on trips long and not so long with confidence. Perhaps you might want to add some of these ways to entertain kids in the car to your repertoire.

Using What You've Got Car manufacturers are more often than not parents themselves. They recognize the need parents have to find ways to entertain kids in the car. They know that most parents don't want their children glued to the in-car monitor while you are driving through Yellowstone National Park.. But they also know that using in car technology can be a huge help in producing new ways to entertain kids in the car. Depending on the audio and visual capacity of your car, you can pack up the kids' favorite tapes or discs from home or from the local library. Better yet, with your children's help you can prepare mixes in advance of family favorites so that everyone feels their tastes have been considered. Then, when the time is right, take advantage of your automobile's special features to help calm everyone down or pep everyone up with some brought from home or home made audio-visual treats. Cataloging Kids are very observant people and they can, when it suits them, work well as a team. If you are looking for ways to entertain kids in the car you may want to enlist them in an activity called "cataloging" - which is simply the listing on paper of observed items in a set category. An oft used sample of "cataloging" is working together in the car to compile a running list of the license plates you see, by state name, as you motor along.

Cataloging license plates is a pastime that is both fun and informative and gives kids a chance to work on observing the world around them. Not only do kids learn what the different state plates look like, they may also learn state mottoes and symbols. Spotting a rare plate is a different and rewarding way to break the boredom of the passing miles. While listing license plates may be the best known cataloging game, it is certainly not the only . If you are looking for more ways to entertain kids in the car using this same basic technique, suggest that they record the different breeds of dogs, fast food stores , makes of cars, animals or bodies of water that they see while you are driving. In fact , your own children may have some exciting ideas of their own for cataloging. The possibilities are as unique as you and your kids make them. Of course, enthusiasm and affirmation of their ideas by parents can add to your children's self esteem as well as the general fun of working together. Portable Games - Depending on the ages and interests of your children you may find that one of the best ways of entertaining kids in the car is to bring along small portable toys or games. For some kids a deck of cards, checkers, colorforms, travel scrabble or etch-a-sketch can squash boredom and provide entertainment. For others, toys from home like Barbie dolls, action figures and small handheld

battery operated games are more likely to fit the bill. The problem with these types of games is that invariably one becomes the family favorite and everyone wants to use it at the same time. You can avoid this in car disaster by setting some simple ground rules. Flip a coin or draw straws to see who gets which toys to begin with, then as you travel parents can call out "switch" at the end of 15 or 20 minute intervals, indicating that everyone needs to pass the toy they have been using along to the next person in a pre-arranged direction. Sing along Whether you sing along with the car radio or sing family favorites together, singing is one of the easiest ways to entertain kids in the car. For best results it is important for parents to sing along as well. Kids should not feel they are being told to "do" an activity but rather that everyone who wants to is invited to join in some family fun. The fact that this activity also has the potential to eat up large chunks of travel time is just a bonus. Encouraging children to participate not only in the singing but also in the selection of songs is a good way to keep everyone content and participating. It doesn't take kids long to catch on to the fact that they are much happier and content when they sing than when they argue. You can have some extra fun with your singing if you try to sing as many songs as you can that contain a designated word. Adults should

probably do the word selection, at least initially, especially with young children. With careful selecting you will be amazed at how many song you and your children can come up with that contain, for example, the word "love". You can all work together suggesting as many songs as possible or if you have a full car you can divide your group into teams and make this activity not only fun but competitive. Progressive Storytelling Kids love stories , but reading in the car is often problematic. The car jostles readers and material and sometimes reading in the car can make people car sick or produce headaches. Still stories do provide a foolproof way to entertain kids in the car. Just invite your kids to participate in the telling of a progressive or developing story. This pastime requires that one person ( if need be a parent) begins to tell a story and after a few sentences stops. The next person is then obliged to pick up the tale from where the previous teller left off developing it as he or she sees fit. The tale is passed among participants in a predetermined direction and can be drawn to an end by anyone in the group. For young children it is often fun to simply use well know tales like Goldilocks or Little Red Riding Hood and allow everyone to redevelop the tale creatively or even comically as they see fit. For older kids its equally fun to simply

make up a brand new tale and see where the story line takes you. Treasure Box - Of all the ways to entertain kids in the car, perhaps the one most loved by parents and kids alike is the Treasure Box. This is usually reserved for a very long drive or a road trip that puts you back out there for a few days in a row. Before leaving home parents secretly prepare a box of small special treasures that they know their children will enjoy. The treasures can be small toys, artsy materials, edible treats, hair bows, comic books, whatever will strike a positive chord with your kids . After each half hour ( or whatever time limit you may agree on ) your children are given one treasure determined by you. All the rest of the treasures are kept a secret and revealed only one at a time. Maintaining the suspense of the next treat helps also to pass the time. Well chosen treasures will help to keep kids busy for the intervening time period as will discussing among themselves what the next treat may be. For best results use treasures that are new to your children, they don't have to be expensive they just need to be well chosen. Being in a car together for some families is a disaster and for others a time when great memories are made. Knowing ways to entertain kids in a car is the first step to

making sure your next trip is the type memories are made of. How to Entertain Bratty Kids Parents often ignore children's bad behavior, causing them to become brats, hypothesizes Jill Rigby, author of "Raising Respectful Children In a Disrespectful World." So it's the parents you can thank when you're put in charge of a gaggle of bratty kids who seem intent on poking, hitting, biting and otherwise annoying one another. To entertain bratty kids, help them to focus their attention on small, simple tasks or using their energy in physical ways. By distracting them, there is a less of a chance that they can pester one another. Step 1 Set up two simple crafts that any child can do. This way, each child can pick their craft and then alternate to the second when they are finished. Furnish safety scissors, old magazines and glue, and instruct children to create a collage of their favorite things. Or, use paper bags, markers and felt to help kids make puppets. Directing their attention to something that will keep them concentrating can help them forget about bugging other people. Step 2 Take the kids outside, to the park or an open field for some outdoor physical activity. Playing soccer, challenging kids to a monkey bar

competition or slide racing can help use up some of the more spirited kids' energy so they have the chance to get their "wiggles." Being outside also gets them out of cramped quarters that can sometimes trigger brattiness. Step 3 Make an inside or outside obstacle course that the kids must complete in teams. Purposely team up children that tend to pester one another so they have to learn to work together to get over a maze of pillows, carry an item from the toy box or listen carefully to your directions. Step 4 Engage the children in imaginative play. "Esquire" magazine suggests setting up a variety of large boxes to make a fort, but you could also play dress up or make your own pretend television show with the kids. Engaging children to use their imagination will help them to focus their attention on something other than annoying you or the other kids. Step 5 Adopt a no tolerance policy when it comes to disciplining for bratty behavior, warns "Parents" magazine. Children often use their caregivers as a way to test their boundaries. Even if the parent doesn't seem to be interested in disciplining for bratty behavior, as soon as it manifests, remove the child from the situation. You'll find he's better behaved when

he realizes he's not allowed to participate when he bothers the other children. How do you Entertain Your Kids While You Cook? Cooking with real, whole foods can take a little more time in the kitchen. It can be difficult to find this time when you have young children who need some help entertaining themselves. Most of the time my kids are pretty good about entertaining themselves, but occasionally they need some encouragement. My children are almost 3 and 5 now, and I thought I would share with you some of the ways I entertain them while I cook and prep food. I don't have suggestions for older kids, but I would love to hear yours, so please comment. 1. Picture Books on Tape. Our library has loads of books on tape, so I throw one in our kitchen CD player for us to listen to while I cook. They sit at the table and flip the pages (the CD has a little noise that tells your child when to turn the page). We also talk about the books that we listen to once the story finishes. 2. Mighty Mind Tiles. Both of my kids LOVE these cards. My daughter started doing them at 2 with our help, but now that she is 3, she can do them herself. The cards are of graduated difficulty so a younger child can do the first cards while an older child can do the latter cards. You can also buy additional tile sets and cards.

3. Ask them what they are going to play with, giving them two options. I find that asking my kids, "Are you going to play with your legos or the marble blocks?" a much more effective way to get them busy playing something than telling them "Go play with your legos." The question format makes them feel like they have more control over what they are doing while I am cooking. 4. Let them help. I touched on this on in my 20 ways I get my kids to eat healthy post. There are many ways that your kids can help you cook, even if you are someone who prefers they don't touch the food. They can use the salad spinner, get things for you, read the recipe for you, etc. 5. Laptop Time. My kids really like to play the games and watch the videos on sesamestreet.com and the various PBS Kids websites like Sid the Science Kid, Clifford and Curious George. So I will bring the laptop in the kitchen while my son navigates around the website watching videos and playing games. I don't like them spending too much time on the computer though, so I set the kitchen buzzer for 30 minutes to keep us both accountable. When it goes off screen time is over. 6. Play-doh. This once can get messy, but if I happen to need a little more prep-time than usual, I get out the play-doh for them and they have a lot of fun. Sometimes I will let them

borrow some of my kitchen stuff so they can "cook" their play-doh. 7. Craft Bucket One of their favorites is when we get the craft supplies out. They cut, glue, assemble and draw while I cook. What I really like about the craft bucket is that they are using their imagination to make things and we can talk about those things while I am cooking. Other games Ask your child to tell you three things: an animal, a place, and a thing that "you can touch." With these three bits of information, it is very easy to create a story. And your child will be enthralled to hear the suggestions molded into the story. Here's an example that happened in our house the other day. For an animal, my boy said an antelope. The place was a market and the "thing you can touch" was a cactus. I told a story about Phillip the Antelope (always give the characters in your stories names--kids like that. You could also pause the story to ask your child for the name as well). Well, Phillip the Antelope went to the market with his Dad. He wanted to run and jump around the store (as antelopes are wont to do), but his dad told him to calm down and to be careful, please! Well, Phillip the Antelope didn't listen,

and in one big jump, almost landed on a that's right - potted cactus. With the three details already in mind, it was easy to tell the story. Kids are always comparing sizes of things. I frequently hear things like, I am tall enough for this or I am big enough to do that or the ever popular, but mine is the smallest. What they dont realize is that they are estimating. So to keep the estimation party going in a positive way I will ask them questions about what things they see around them and have them estimate the answers. I will ask, what building, tree or flag pole is taller? What car do you think is heavier? Or I will say, What line has the most people? I think it helps expand their vocabulary and encourage critical thinking. Besides who doesnt like to guess which line will move faster at the market? Somehow I always chose the slowest.

All you need is a little imagination and some word power. You start at the beginning of the alphabet and use a adjective and a noun that start with the letter B. For example, Big Banana or Big Bird then the game moves on to the next person. The next person follows with the letter C then D and so on.

In the Airplane Long airplane rides are boring for adults, and even more boring for children. On really long flights, there is not much to see or do inside the plane, and nothing to see outside the window. Not only that, it is cramped and there is no space to spread out. Before 9-11, children could go visit the pilot in the cockpit, which was a welcome break. Now, airlines want passengers to keep to their seats. The best way to keep your kids happy on board is to make sure they can entertain themselves. Difficulty: Easy Instructions things you'll need: Toys Blanket Paper or coloring books Colored pencils and crayons Books Games 1. Prepare for the Flight Prepare your child. Discuss in advance what will happen, and explain how he should behave on the plane. Make sure your child understands that before reaching the destination, whether it is Grandma's house or

Disneyland, there will be a long trip. Make sure he understands what toys he will have on board. 2 Schedule the trip overnight, if possible. Whether this is a good idea depends on your child. For children who always fall asleep promptly at bedtime, a long flight overnight will go by in no time. Children who are active in the evenings will have a harder time falling asleep on an overnight flight. 3 Select a good seat. Airlines try to be accommodating to families. Book early so that everyone can sit together. Get the exit row or end of section seats, so it is easy for your child to move about. She may want to sit by the window, or between her parents. If you have more than one child, they may want to switch seats during the flight. Be flexible in the seating arrangements, but try to keep everyone happy with their seat location. 4 Pack together. Get a small carry-on suitcase or backpack for your child, and pack it together a couple of days in advance. If your child is old enough to understand the concept of sitting still for a long time, let him choose a few of his books and toys to bring along. Pack a change of clothes to carry on as well, especially for toddlers. 5

Bring some extra toys. It is always a good idea to surprise your child by letting her find something interesting but familiar that she did not pack herself. 6 Pack a blanket. A familiar blanket will help your child feel safe and fall asleep more easily. A blanket from home is also likely to be softer and more comfortable than an airline blanket. 7 Do not buy new toys for the flight. Unless your child is a frequent flier, the airplane will be an unfamiliar setting and may make him nervous. Having familiar toys to play with will help ease the tension. 8 Bring toys that will sustain your child's interest. A book of stickers is less effective than a coloring book, a game less effective than a book. Once your child has used up the stickers, the sticker book is not very useful, but a coloring book has many pages and will last a long time. A game may become boring after repeated rounds, but a book can be read again. Remember that electronic toys can not be used during take-off and landing. In Flight 1 Use one toy or book at a time. If you have prepared them appropriately, children will

realize that they should play with things one at the time, and not bring everything out at once. 2 Use the in-flight entertainment system. Most long flights have personalized entertainment screens. Help your child use it and find something interesting. 3 Make your child feel safe. The more you fret, the more nervous she will be. 4 Engage your child in activities. The more occupied he is, the faster time flies. Bring a story book and read it together. Ask your child to create his own story around it, if he is old enough. 5 Have a snack at regular intervals. Packaged snacks can be bought in the airport or brought from home. Do not reset your watch to the arrival time zone until you get there, but keep it on home time so that you know what time your child's body clock is set to. At Layovers 1 Prepare your child for any layovers in advance. Make sure she understands that the journey will continue after waiting in the airport. 2

Explore the new airport. Research in advance to see if there are any fun things to do. Most children enjoy looking out the big airport windows at the planes taking off and landing. 3 Prepare the toys at the gate. Be at the gate about ten minutes before boarding time, since parents with children are usually allowed to pre-board. Use that time for the children to choose which toys they will want first. Ideas for Your Kids' Inventions You don't have to be a rocket scientist to inspire your kids to reach for ideas beyond their traditional realm of thinking. Invention ideas for kids will teach your child to think outside the box and look for new ways to improve the world they live in. Take a look at the world around you with your child. Talk about what might have inspired the invention of common household items, such as a knife, teapot, or microwave. Look for ideas that could inspire inventions. Each time you and/or your child struggle with some household task or activity, ask yourselves what would make that task a little easier. Brainstorm together about certain ideas, discuss why that idea would or wouldn't work. These activities work great during kids' club meetings, too. We've found some great kids' invention Websites to get you started!

To look for ideas for your kids' inventions, first look at your child. What is she interested in? What are his hobbies? What does she find interesting or frustrating? If you start with your child's interests, you'll be more likely to find invention inspiration. Here are some ideas: If your child is interested in fashion, encourage her to invent some new kind of clothing. Zippers, buttons, ties, and pulls could all be improved upon. Perhaps your child has the way to do it! New and better kinds of jewelry are being created everyday. Two young girls became millionaires from finding a new way to make bottle cap jewelry. If your child has a hobby, help him find a way to make it easier, faster, or better. Does your daughter enjoy sports? Help her think of a contraption that can improve her skills or score. Maybe your child could think of a device to make pet care easier or more efficient. Ideas might be an automatic dog walker, a pet groomer, a new kind of pooper scooper, or a way to keep litter boxes fresher longer. Kids love to play, so encourage your child to create a new board game, video game, or toy. We always need new motorized toys and remote control cars, trucks, robots, and airplanes. Developing Invention Skills

How can you help your kids become inventors? First, remember that no idea is stupid. It may need to be rethought, revamped, and redesigned, but if your kids think of something, give that idea your attention. After all, inventors typically had lots of ideas that never worked before they found success. The following tips may help: Take your kids seriously. Omit the use of the words "don't" and "never". Look for ways to make the idea work. If it just can't work, discuss the problems and look for solutions. Write the ideas down. Once something is placed on paper, it is easier to rework it. Don't ridicule your kids' ideas, no matter how goofy they might seem! Discuss what features about the invention would make it desirable to others. Discuss how you might market the item. Finally, keep in mind that virtually any activity you do could inspire some type of invention by your kids. Learn how to look at the world with an eye for creativity, critical thinking, and problem solving. Once your kids begin inventing, they may be unstoppable!

Outdoor Kids Games

Cherry On Top Required: Newspaper, 5 lb. bag of flour, maraschino cherries and spatula or butter knife Players: Small groups This game is best played outdoors on a calm day with clothes that you can get dirty. First spread out newspaper on a table. Pour out the hole bag of flour in a pile, form the pile of flour into a pyramid and then place a cherry on top. Each person playing is to take a turn removing a section of the pyramid with the spatula. Do this very carefully, because, if you make the cherry fall, you have to pick it up with your teeth, using no hands. Yes, the flour is going to get all over your face. Get a new cherry and play again.

Don't Get Caught In The Web Required: Balls of yarn Players: Small to medium groups Find an area that has many obstacles, maybe tables, chairs, doors and other objects. Set up the area ahead of time by running string throughout the area. Make it so that there are only a couple ways to get through the web of string. You can attach it to doors, under tables, across chairs but nothing that would be knocked over that could cause harm to the

players or valuable equipment. Have the players come into the area and they must get from one side to the other without touching the web. You can do many variations to this by having someone being a spider that can cause players to go another way without being caught or have a time limit.

Drop the Toothpick Required: Tooth picks and 20-oz plastic pop bottle Players: Small group Set up a desired number of teams. Have a starting line and a plastic pop bottle for each team about 6 yards away. On go, one person from each team is to race to their plastic bottle with a box of tooth picks in hand and try to drop a tooth pick into the bottle while standing over it. Once this is achieved they are to race back without spilling toothpicks, back to line and the next person completes drop until the team is done. If toothpicks are too hard, try giving the teams raisons. Closing one eye sometimes helps.

Escargot - French version Hopscotch Required: Play area and chalk Players: 2 or more, ages 6 and up

Draw on the sidewalk a snail shaped play area with lines about 12 inches apart for about 15 to 20 squares. Number the squares starting with the outside as the starting point, the first square as number one. The very center of the circle should be a resting stop and just before that is the last number. The first player must hop on one foot without stepping on any lines or putting down the other foot. In the center they can rest and then they must hop back out following the same rules. If they complete this task, they are rewarded one square of their choice to place their initials on, this will give them an additional resting stop. Other players must hop over this stop. The next player will do the same. Anyone who steps on a line or steps on someones resting stop loose that turn. You play this until it is impossible to hop to the center or all spaces are initialed. The player with the most spaces initialed is the winner. Flyer Golf Required: Flyers, play area, ribbon markers, score cards and pencils Players: Small to medium groups Set up a flyer golf course; if indoors use a soft flyer like the Fun Gripper Flyer or Finger Zinger. Use ribbons or colored tape to mark off each target, they can be attached by tying, tacking or taping. Have a starting point and

one by one, players should throw their flying disc trying to hit the first marker. If anyone hits the target they will get a one on their scorecard for the first target. The player closest to the target will try again until they hit the target. You will take turns again until everyone has completed the task of hitting the first target. They will record the number of times it took to hit the first target. Then you will move on to the next. At the end, the person with the lowest score wins. If you have a combination of younger players or handicapped participants, allow for advancing these players 3-5 feet closer to the target. Guess That Smell Required: Cotton Balls, Empty Film Tubes with lids, and different liquid extracts Players: Small to large groups Place one cotton ball in each empty film tube and poke a hole through the lid of each tube so you can easily smell the scent inside. For each cotton ball choose one scent to be added to the cotton ball. You can place numbered tags on the bottom of the tubes that correspond with a master list. Here are some ideas of scents to add to cotton balls, lemon, peppermint, vanilla, garlic, orange, bacon, cherry and coffee. The person that correctly identifies the most scents is the winner.

Head Catch Required: Disposable plastic bowl, elastic, glue and Fun Gripper Bean Bag Set or Fun Gripper Juggle Set Players: Small to medium groups Purchase some disposable plastic cereal bowls at the store. Take two bowls and carefully hot glue the two bottoms together or you can use other reliable glue that will quickly dry permanently. Measure out elastic band so that it will keep the bowl attached to the top of someone's head. Attach the elastic by stapling or poking small holes and tying it off. If for a party you can decorate these hats ahead of time with the theme. You can use stickers, permanent markers or paint that will stick to plastic. To play with these newly made items you can do several variations. One game you can play is a relay game. Each team receives a bowl hat and the first person puts on the hat and stands about 3 feet away from the next person in line. The second person in line throws whatever soft objects you have chosen in the air, to attempt to get one into the bowl hat. Once they accomplish that, the throwing person moves up to the catching spot and the next person is the thrower. The

catcher moves to the back of the line. You rotate until the first catcher is throwing and has accomplished that task. The first team done is the winner. You can mark off throwing and catching lines so that all players move to the correct locations. To use this game idea for a birthday party, you can make it so that everyone gets a hat. Have them decorate their own hat then give each player a soft item to try and catch. The first person to make a catch is the winner. You can then keep playing the game individually with 3 to 5 catches and they win. Or you can have them in pairs where one is the thrower and one is the catcher. Then they can switch sides after the task is accomplished. The first pair to sink two shots wins. Ice Bowling Required: Winter weather with icy play area or indoor ice rink, one galloon plastic milk jug, 10 plastic 2 liter pop bottles and food coloring Players: Small groups Fill all plastic bottles and milk jug with colored water, and freeze. Clear off snow on an icy play area about 10 feet by 4 feet and then set up the ten bottles at one end. The bottles should be set up in a pyramid, 4 in the back, then 3, then 2, and then 1 in front. Players will take turns trying to knock down the bottles with

two sliding throws of the milk jug. One or two players should be placed a few feet behind the targets to return a sliding throw back to players, without knocking down targets. You can even play this game while on ice skates. Magic Carpet Required: Shower curtains from the dollar store Players: Small to large groups Set up teams of 8 to 12 players. Each team will be given one shower curtain as a magic carpet and all team members will be standing on it. You start out the game by telling teams the following: You are on a magic carpet, up in the sky. Youve discovered that youre not going anywhere because your carpet is upside down. The object is to flip the carpet back upright without anyone stepping off into the abyss. You may use your hands. The team that reverses its carpet first without anyone stepping off is the winner.

Circle Games
Apples to Oranges Required: One apple, one orange, paper, pencil, container, and music Players: Small to large groups

Print out slips of paper that you will pull out of a container. Each slip will be labeled differently as follows: before the apple, the apple, after the apple, before the orange, the orange, and after the orange. You might want to do a couple sets in case certain slips become detectable after use. Once youve completed the slips place them in a container mix them up. Have players stand in a circle, give the apple to one person and the orange to someone across the circle, then start the music. They are to pass the fruits until the music stops. When the music stops, pull out a slip of paper and read it. If the paper states before the specific fruit that person is out. If its after the specific fruit that person is out. If it just states a fruit that person is out. So not only do you have to worry about holding the fruit but where it is in the circle. If you have a large group, set up several circles or a circle within a circle would be cool. You could also use different colored FlingSocks instead of fruit. Variations to the game can be passing the fruits under the leg, behind the back or twirl around once then pass the fruit. Big Chief Players: Small to large groups

Have all players sit in a circle and then chose a person to be it. The it is to leave so that it cannot see or hear. Choose one person to be the chief and he will act out short movements. Examples are clapping hands three times, stomping feet 4 times, etc. All other players must do what the Chief does. Have it return to the group to figure out who is the Big Chief, you can give him up to three guesses if theres a large group. Blindfolded Shoe Shuffle Required: Blindfolds and shoes Players: Medium to large groups Each person puts on a blindfold and takes off their shoes. They then throw them into a pile in the middle of the floor. The referee then jumbles them all up and then shouts GO! The first person to find their shoes by touch and smell alone and put them on is the winner. Body Jump Relay Required: 6 players per team Players: Medium to large groups Each team will have the players lie down on the ground, face up, fanned out in a circle with their heads facing the middle of the circle. On go, the first person from each circle, gets up and runs around the circle jumping over the other team members. Once around he will lie back down and the #2 person will do the same. Then you keep playing until all the

players have completed the task. The first team to complete the cycle is the winner. For added fun and excitement with youth groups, a blindfold can be passed to the player that is getting up. They can half walk and crawl around the circle with members instructing them where to go. Another version is having them race/walk backwards. Circle Delight Required: Two balls Players: Small to large groups Two teams stand alternately in a single circle formation. Each team has a ball. At the signal the balls are thrown in the same direction from person to person belonging to the same team. The balls start moving from opposing players standing opposite each other in the circle. The purpose is to see if one team can move its ball from player to player at such a speed that it overtakes the ball from the opposing team. If this happens one point is scored and the game begins again. The first team to score three points wins. Note: The ball must be relayed between players of one team as they are positioned in the circle while not hindering the opposing team. Colonial Circle Players: Small to medium groups This is a very old game from the colonial days

One player will be the chosen British spy and all other players will be in a circle formation holding hands, facing inward. The spy will request to enter the circle by saying, Please good people let me in so I can warm my toes and light my pipe. The players will allow that person to come into the circle. That player will enter and stand in the center of the circle. He will act out that he is warming his toes and lighting his pipe by saying Ah, its great to be able to light my pipe and its great to warm my toes. As he's doing so, hell figure out a way out of the circle and then suddenly try to escape through one set of players locked arms. If captured he picks a new spy and the original spy has to sit in the center. If he escapes he picks a new spy to come back and spy with him. When they try to escape, they will exit at different locations in the circle. Do You Love Your Neighbor? Players: Small to medium groups All players sit in a circle except one person who sits on someones lap and asks, Do you love your neighbor? If he/she says YES, you all move one seat in any direction and the person thats IT trys to get a seat. If he/she does, then the person left standing is IT. However if he says NO then the IT asks, Who do you love? The person that was chosen then answers with a physical trait of other

people in the circle (ex. glasses, shoes, hair color, and style of cloths) and those people move to any seat they can get except for there own. Duck Duck Squirt Required: Squirt gun and clean bucket of water Players: Small to medium groups All players sit or stand in a circle. Pick a person to be it. They are to go around the circle like Duck, Duck, Goose but they say " Duck, Duck, Squirt". They then squirt a player and the chase begins. The "squirter" is to run around the circle and back to players position without getting tagged by the person that was squirted. Ducks N Hens Required: Two objects Players: Small to medium groups Circle up in groups of 8-10. Hand one person two random objects. One of these random objects represents a duck, the other represents a hen. The person is a vendor. His goal is to sell the foul. To his right, he passes the first item, and says, Do you want to buy a duck? The buyer says, Does it quack? The vendor says, Yes it quacks. The duck continues to be passed to the right with the question and answer session going all the

way back to the original vendor and back to the current transaction. (B asks A, A answers B, B sells to C, C asks B, B must turn around and ask A, A answers B, B answers C, C sells to D, D asks C, C asks B, B asks A, A answers B, B answers C, C answers D, and so on.) In the meantime, immediately after the duck is sold, the original vendor turns to his left with the hen, and says, Do you want to buy a hen? The buyer asks, Does it cackle? Yes it cackles. Same deal with the hen... the question and answer session goes all the way back to the original vendor. The fun comes when the messages start to cross. Its hilarious! Fork Over The Chocolate Required: Chocolate bar, knife, forks, pair of large gloves, clothing Players: Small to medium groups You need a bar of chocolate (preferably cold for older players), knife and several forks, a dice, a pair of large gloves and some other items of clothing depending on age group. e.g. scarf, hat, large coat or jacket, trousers, waistcoat, the list is endless. Everybody forms a circle, half circle or sits in chairs. One person starts by throwing the dice followed by each person in turn. When someone throws a six he then runs to where all the clothes are and starts putting them on, once he is completely dressed he can then

start trying to eat the bar of chocolate, with the knife and fork of course, cutting one square at a time. While they are doing this the rest continue throwing the dice and if someone else throws a six, the person eating the chocolate has to stop and get undressed while the next person tries to get dressed and start eating the chocolate etc... The games obviously ends once the chocolate has been eaten. Hidden Surprise Required: Pill bottle, tape, newspaper, money, dice Players: Small to medium groups Heres a game for both the young and old. Take an empty pill bottle and place an amount of money in it. Whatever you decide you want the winner to have. Wrap it up with layers of newspaper and duct tape, electrical tape or any other kind of tape. You can even layer it with different types and make a huge tape ball. Have everyone stand in a circle. Take a set of dice and place them in a flat box. If the person rolls a double, they must go inside the circle and start working on getting the tape ball apart. They continue unwrapping until the next person rolls a double. Keep going until someone wins the money. This can take

awhile and it is real fun and exciting for all ages. You can modify this game using different containers to hold food or other prizes. Hot Valentine Required: Fun Gripper Ball or FlingSock Players: Small to medium groups All players must sit in a circle with their legs crossed. In the middle is the leader holding the Hot Valentine. The leader will decide whom to throw the Hot Valentine to and then close their eyes. The players will then toss the Hot Valentine to each other around the circle until the leader calls Hot Valentine. The person holding it will be out but first starts the game by tossing it to another player. The last person without the Hot Valentine is the winner. Im Going Hunting Players: Small to medium groups You play this game in a circle and your memory counts. One person in the circle will start the game off by saying, Im going hunting and Im taking an arrow. The next person will have to repeat what the person next to him said and then add something new from the next letter in the alphabet. Im going hunting and Im taking an arrow and a bow. You keep this going around the circle until one person cannot remember what he is taking. That

person is out and you see if the next person can complete the phrase. You dont necessarily have to choose something that you would normally take hunting-it can be funny. You can also modify this game to a specific topic. Im going to get married and Im taking... would be a great wedding shower icebreaker. Im going to have a baby and Im... would be a starter for a baby shower game. Im going shopping and Im buying would be great for a womens event. Pick a topic that fits your event, play this game at your next family holiday get-together. Killer Froggy Players: Medium to large groups Everyone sits in a circle. One person is chosen to be the detective. He leaves the room or goes to a place where he cannot see or hear what is going on in the circle. Everyone in the circle closes their eyes. An adult or leader walks around the circle and taps someones shoulder who now becomes the Killer Frog. But no one knows who the frog is at first. The detective comes back in. The frog sticks its tongue out at random people around the circle, trying not to be noticed by the detective. If the frog sticks its tongue out at you, you just lay down. The detective gets three tries to guess the killer frogs identity. If he succeeds, someone else is chosen for the next round. If he doesnt, then he is the

detective again. Its okay if other players know who the frog is. Musical Hearts Required: Paper hearts, prizes, number system and music Players: Small to large groups The game is somewhat like musical chairs but with hearts being passed. If you use this as a classroom game for a Valentine Party game, most classrooms have each student assigned a number for the year. Have your classroom use these assigned numbers and you'll need those assigned numbers written on separate pieces of paper to pull out of a hat. If your players don't have pre-assigned numbers have them stand in a circle and count out loud giving each them a number. Pre-make paper hearts that either hinge or can be folded. Each child can decorate a heart. Provide various prizes that can be won if the right heart is found such as heart erasers, heart pencils, chocolate bars, Cracker Jacks, fruit snacks, stickers and other fun items. On the inside of each heart write the prize that the player will receive if they open that heart. Seal the heart closed with a piece of tape so no one can see what they might win. Select music that applies to the theme like "Written On My Heart" and "Here In My Heart", both by the new group "Plus One" are great songs. Have each player

start by holding onto a heart while all players are standing in a circle together. The players will pass the hearts to the next person in a clockwise fashion while the music plays. Pause the music and pull out a number. The person having that number will open the heart that they are holding and receive the prize written in it. Once they receive their prize they will be out of the game along with the heart that they opened. Start up the music again and pull out another number. Keep playing until you run out of prizes or time. If you run out of time towards the end, the last remaining few can open their hearts at the same time. Pass the Parcel Players: Small to medium groups Wrap a bar of chocolate (or some other exciting gift) in a small box then wrap in a layer of paper. Now on the paper write a type of task that must be completed. Add another layer of paper and another task. Repeat until you have about 10 layers. Finally wrap it in gift paper (so it looks nice). The tasks should vary - like sing a song, eat a teaspoon of mustard, or walk blindfolded to the other side of the circle. Just try to be creative and make it so that they wont want to get stuck with the package on the next turn.

Sit everyone in a circle and play a short snippet of music. When the music stops, the person holding the parcel removes one layer of wrapping and must perform the task written on that layer. Repeat until the last layer of wrapping has been removed. At the end, no one will want to get stuck with the package but the one that does will get the reward. Pirate Required: Large bunch of keys and blindfold Players: Small to medium groups Choose one player to be the pirate. That player will be required to sit in the middle of the circle, blindfolded with his/her legs crossed. All the other players will circle the pirate while sitting with their legs crossed. Place several different rings of keys on the floor in front of the pirate. A player is nominated to slowly creep up, attempt to take a ring of keys and then return to their place without the pirate hearing them. The Pirate has three tries to point to where he thinks the thief is. If the thief succeeds, he/she becomes the new Pirate. Quick Change Artist Required: Just willing participants Players: Medium to large groups Have everyone sit in a circle and choose one person to be the quick change artist. Have the artist go out of sight and change something on

him/her self that is visible(ie-put shorts on backwards, change hair, tie/untie shoes...). When the artist is done, have him/her walk into the middle of the circle and turn around slowly to give everyone a chance to see what has been changed. Then go around the circle having each person guess what has been changed. The first person to guess correctly is the next artist. Shark Attack Required: Fun Gripper Parachute Players: Small to medium groups Select one player to be the shark and one player to be the lifeguard. All other players must sit on the ground while holding the parachute over their legs. The shark must be under the parachute looking for someone to attack. The lifeguard walks around behind players that are sitting, hoping to save any victims of a shark attack. The players will wiggle their legs and shake the parachute keeping it low to the ground. The shark will pick a victim and try to pull them under by the legs. The lifeguard must come around and try to pull them back. If the lifeguard gets there in time, the shark lets go and finds another victim. If a player is pulled under then there are two sharks. The victim cannot kick or use their hands to attack or hurt the shark. They

must go with the shark if pulled under; only the lifeguard can save them. Shoe Hustle Players: Small to large groups Everyone should sit in a circle on the floor. Remove both shoes, then remove the shoestrings and place them in the toes of the shoes. The shoes then go into the center of the circle and have someone mix up the pile or rotate the circle of kids. At a signal, everyone races for the pile, finds his shoes, laces them up, and puts them on. The first child finished and standing is the winner! Smile Toss Players: Four to Twelve players Players can sit in circle or through out the room as long as everyone can see each other. All players are to keep a straight somber face while one person that is chosen to be the Smile Tosser, smiles. The Smile Tosser will smile a big smile at all players trying to get them to crack a smile or laugh. If anyone smiles or laughs they are out of the game and they must be absolutely quiet while the game goes on. The Smile Tosser can wipe off his smile with his hand and throw it to another player if he wishes. The receiving player will put on the smile and be the new Smile Tosser. You can even set a time limit on how long your

Smile Tosser is allowed to keep his role. Smile Toss is a great party game, holiday get together game, icebreaker game and youth group game. Someone Moved Players: Small to large groups Have all players sit in a circle and then chose a person to be it. The it is to leave so that it cannot see or hear. Have one to four players move in the circle. When it returns he is to figure out who has moved in the circle. Great ice breaker for new groups! Stations Required: Just willing participants Players: Small to medium groups Everyone sits in a circle and is given a destination (name of a town) and in the middle, the station master stands with all the destination names on a card. He/She then chooses certain names; for example Bradford/Leeds. The two corresponding people then have to get up and exchange seats. In the meantime the station master has to try to jump into one of these seats. More than two destinations can be called out and the ultimate All Change when everyone has to change seats is a great laugh.

Can be played for hours and there is no ultimate winner or loser. Suitable for young and old. Can turn out rather rough, make sure that nothing breakable is nearby. Twins Required: Nothing Players: Small to large groups All players are paired off and form a large circle with partners joining hands. One set of players is chosen as it and are the runners. The runners go around the outside of the circle and tag a pair of joined hands. The runners quickly run one direction while the tagged team race the other direction. The first pair back to the vacated spot gets to keep the spot, and the other pair becomes it. Caution set up rules for passing so that no one gets hurt.

Misc. Games
Apple On A Rope Required: Twine, apples and skewer Players: Small to medium groups For this game there are only two players on a team, one to hold the apple and the other to eat the apple. Set up the apples on ropes ahead of time. You do this by poking a hole

through the apple, stringing a piece of thin rope about 3' in length through the apple and knot it several times at the end to prevent the apple from falling off. The apple holder will hold the one end of the rope in the air while the apple dangles and the apple eater will eat the apple while their hands are behind their back. The first team done eating the apple down to the core is the winner. You might want to have a judge to decide when a team is down to the core. With this game you should use caution because players could choke if they inhale the apple. So encourage them to concentrate on eating the apple and not laughing. This game is better for older players, great game for married couples. Some players have a hard time getting the first bite into the apple and the trick sometimes is to hit the apple with the force of your teeth. Careful, dont play this game if you have loose teeth. Baby Food Guess Required: 10-15 jars of baby food, permanent marker, paper and pencil Players: Small to large groups Buy 10 15 different flavors of baby food and remember, the more flavors the less chance youll have a tie game. Make a master list with numbers and record the flavors you have and then with a permanent marker write on the lid of each jar the corresponding number.

Remove all the labels to the baby food jars. Hand out a pencil and paper to each player and have the players write down the numbers of jars theyll have to see. Pass the baby food jars and they are to record what they think is in the jar but quietly without clueing their neighbor (no sampling allowed). If working with a large group, start several jars in differently locations with the playing group and have them all pass the jars in the same direction. The player that guesses the most correct jars of baby food is the winner. When the game is over, give all the baby food jars to an expectant mother along with the master list of whats in the jars. Balloon Race Required: Small balloons, shaving cream and plastic knives Players: Small to large groups Each player is given a balloon coated with shaving cream. At the same time, all players must shave their balloon with out popping it. The player who does this first wins! Balloon Wars Required: Balloons, string and square play field Players: Medium to large groups

Divide players into four teams and give each team member a blown up balloon. Each team should have balloons of a different color. Example is one team with orange balloons, one team of red balloons, one team with green balloons and the last team with blue balloons. Each team member will team tie their balloon around one leg so that it is resting above their knee. The teams will choose one side of the square to stand at, standing on the outside and facing in. Choose two teams to start the game that are facing each other, like the orange and green team. The two teams will step into the square and on go will try to pop the other teams balloons. Once one team has been completely eliminated, the balloon war will stop. The team that has remaining balloons will count them and step back to the sideline of the square. The next two teams will do the same. The remaining team will count their balloons and step back to the sideline. The two teams that have remaining balloons will have a face off and the team that has the last remaining balloon or balloons is the winner. If you have an uneven number of players you can either give one player an additional balloon on the leg or once someone has lost a balloon quick give them another to make the game fair. Best Dressed Clown

Required: Make up, face paints, cotton swabs, cotton balls, old clothes and Vaseline Players: Small to medium groups Set up teams into groups of 2-4. Give each team make up, face paint and a pile a clothes to choose from. The idea of this activity is the make the best looking clown. If youre working with a large group have a central place where the makeup and face paint are located. Have a person within each group assigned to pick out makeup; you could limit their choices of how many items to use at a time. If theyre limited to lets say three items at a time, when they are done with those items they can exchange them for three more new items. Any makeup they use must be put on with clean cotton swabs or cotton balls. The same idea could be used for clothes to pick out for the clown to wear. Have a large area for one person assigned from each team to pick out clothing choices. You could get used clothing from used clothing stores or ask for donations. If youre working with a talented group they could put together a quick skit. You could also provide ideas that they could pull out and have to create a short skit from that idea. Ideas can be simple like a clown riding a bike., a clown falling in love.., a clown going over a waterfall in a barrelor some may want to use there own ideas. You can give prizes for the best clown face, the best-dressed clown and

best clown skit. A great game that will require teamwork and team cooperation, great for those lock-ins or youth groups. Blanket Identification Required: 1 non-see-through blanket Players: Small to medium groups Youll need two people to hold up a blanket as if it were a curtain. Separate the group of players in half and place the groups on opposite sides of the blanket. Each group picks 1 person from their team (very quietly so the other team doesnt hear) and that person goes and stands right behind the blanket (make sure that the players standing at the blanket cannot see each other). Choose one player from each team to get ready for the blanket to drop. The two people holding the blanket drop it and the two players shout out the other players name from the opposite team that was standing behind the blanket. The first person to yell the name correctly gets one point. First team with 10 points wins. Do not tell them the game or the rules they will be playing until the blanket is up and the teams are separated. Blind Fetch Required: Blindfolds and Team Handball Players: Small to medium groups 6" Fun Gripper Soccer Ball

Set up two to three teams and assign one person on each team to be blindfolded. Once all chosen players are blindfolded and teams are established, have one person throw out the ball into the play area. Each team is to stand back from behind a designated line and instruct their teammate where the ball is by yelling out instructions. If a player finds the ball, they are to return to the team while still blindfolded and they receive 3 points. If another person with a blindfold tags them, that team receives 1 point. Then another team member from each team will try to complete the same task. Blind Fetch is a great game for Physical Educators, Youth Groups, picnic game or party game. Blinded Four Corner Required: Blindfold Players: Medium to large groups Heres a quickie game that can be played in the classroom or wherever. Select one player to wear a blindfold and they are to be placed into the center of the room. Once the player is blindfolded and in position, the other players must stand in one of the four corners. They must do this very quietly (no talking allowed) and within 10 seconds. If a player is not in a corner by the time your done counting, that player is out of the game. The player that is blindfolded will point to one of the corners and

all the players in that corner will be out of the game. To be fair you cannot go to one corner, make noises and then quickly move to another corner. If no one is in a selected corner, the players have 5 seconds to get to another corner before a new corner is selected. The one person that was never found will be the new player in the middle. Boot Toss Required: Kids Rubber Boot, sand, duct tape Players: Small to large groups Find one or more child size rubber boots, fill with sand and then duct tape the top to hold all the sand. All participants must stand behind a line and then one player at a time will toss the boot as far as they can. Mark off where each boot has landed or which toss went the farthest. The history to this game is that in Scotland when a husband would come home in a drunken stupor the wives would take off their husbands boots and toss them out into the yard. Use this game for parties, picnics or family reunions. Bounce Bowling Required: Fun Gripper Bowling Set Players: Small to medium groups Fun Gripper Bowling Set Set up bowling pins in a small circle near a wall. Player rolls the ball to hit the wall and

then bounce back to knock down pins. One point is awarded for each pin knocked down. A roll that hits the pins first loses that many points. Set up pins for the next player to roll. The first player to reach 30 points is the winner. Broom Hockey Required: Brooms, rubber ball, and goals (boxes or buckets) Players: 2 or more This game can be played in any size room, make two goals opposite of each other. You start the game with a face-off in the center of the room. Opponents attempt to hit the puck into the opposite goal. The goalie is allowed to block shots in any way he desires. Penalties may be assessed for delaying the game, holding the puck with hands or feet, high sticking or other unnecessary roughness. The opposite team may receive a free shot (except for goalie) on goal when penalties occur. For large groups limit number of players and substitute once a score is made. Coin Hit Required: Quarter, sidewalk with sections and Playground Ball Players: Two players Each player will stand behind their own sidewalk section facing each other and place a quarter standing upright in the sidewalk crack between them. The first player will stand behind the line of the next sidewalk section

and try to hit the standing quarter by bouncing the ball at it. If they hit the quarter they get one point and if it is knocked out of the crack they get two points. The ball will bounce to the other player from across the crack. The second player will take a turn. The first person to get 21 points is the winner. Crayon Hunt Required: Boxes of crayons and bags Players: Small to medium groups You can use this game for a young childs birthday party idea. Buy a couple of the large boxes of crayons and hide the crayons through out the playing area. Give all the players bags to collect the crayons, and then send them off searching for those new crayons. When done the player or players with the most crayons get to keep the box that they came in. At the end they can even go around trading different colors with each other. Dad Challenge Required: Clothes line, clothespins, phone, basket, clothes and baby doll Players: Small to large groups

Hang a clothesline at the party scene, then hand each player a phone, a baby (doll of course), a basket of clothes and some clothe pins. The object of the game is to have each

player hold the baby properly, while on the phone and hanging clothes. They must at all times be chatting on the phone and hold the baby as if it were real. See how many clothes they can hang on the line in 60 seconds, but the object of the game is to see if they can handle a moms job for 60 seconds without dropping the child or the phone. Good Luck and Enjoy! Dads of all ages and men in general are encouraged to play this game. Have all men, teenagers and especially, fathers give it a try. This is a great game for father/son outings. It is hilarious to see them juggle so hard to keep that baby in their arms. Fitness Mania Required: Playing cards (preferably larger size) and activity slips (be creative) Players: Small to large groups For this activity the players will perform a variety of fitness activities in Fitness Mania in order to improve their own levels of physical fitness. (muscular strength, muscular endurance, body composition, flexibility and cardio respiratory endurance). Dividing into two teams. Each team will line up single file on opposite side of the card and activity slip piles. The first person on each team will run towards the middle and pick up a card and an activity slip. Each card represents a number. Jack = 11, etc... Ace = 14 Note: If a

player picks up an activity that their team has already done, then they must pick another activity slip. Players will run back towards their group then read and perform the activity as a group.(ex: Do ____ curl-ups). The next person in line then goes and the game continues until all of the cards or activity slips are gone. The team that finishes first wins. Red Rover Required: Open play area Players: Small to large groups Divide players into two teams. One team will all hold hands in a line, side by side at one end of the play area. The other team will do the same at the other end facing the other team. One team will call someone over from the other team by saying, Red Rover, Red Rover let _________ come over. The ____ is for that persons name. That person will come over to the other team and try to break thru two hands that are connected. They cannot use their hands or lay across the connection to break it. If they cannot break the connection they join that team but if they break the connection, they take one of the players involved back to their team. To make it fair you can limit how many times someone can be called, limit how often they can go through certain individuals or everyone gets a turn and no repeats on calling over the same person.

Rice Game Required: Rice, 1 or smaller safety pins, bowl and timer Players: Small to large groups Pour one box of rice into a bowl, add one package of 1 safety pins and mix well. Each player is to try to find the safety pins with their fingers without looking. They are allowed 30 60 seconds to do this. The person with the most safety pins is the winner. Ring A Pumpkin Required: Pumpkin and several hula-hoops Players: Small to large groups Try this game for any type of harvest type gathering. Place pumpkins about 8-10 feet away from players and give them several hulahoops to throw. If the hoop goes around the pumpkin they receive a point or some type of small reward. Sardines Players: Small to large groups This game is like Hide and Seek with a twist. You pick one person to hide and the rest of the players look for the hider. As the seekers find the hider, they are to squeeze into hiding place with hider. This is done until the last seeker

finds the hiding place. The last person is the new hider. Skittle Game Required: Container, 2-3 pkgs. of Skittle candies, score sheet, paper and pencil Players: Small to large groups Find a deep, clean, non see through container to pour in several bags of skittles. Make a point chart on paper or blackboard for the different colored Skittles. An example is purple 5pts, green 10pts, yellow 20pts, orange 25pts, and red 30pts. Divide into teams and have one person at a time from each team, draw out a Skittle. The team is awarded the points for the color that is pulled out. The drawer gets to eat the Skittle. The first team to reach 500pts is the winner. Sledding Snow Target Required: Sleds, snow, sledding hill, snowballs and buckets Players: Small to large groups On your favorite sledding hill set up buckets right side up, on the path down the course. Each player will take two snowballs per trip down. For each bucket they hit they receive one point, if it lands in bucket they receive two points. You can even use other ideas for targets.

Stone Teacher Required: Small stone and safe stairs Players: Small groups Play this game on a safe set of stairs, for little ones have them sit on steps instead of standing. Have all players stand at the top of the stairs and one person should be the stone teacher. The stone teacher will hide their hands behind their back to decide in which hand they will hide the stone. They will bring hands forward with closed fists and have the first players choose which hand to stone is in. If theyre correct they will move down one step, if incorrect they will stay at that step. The teacher will again hide hands behind back and then have next player choose a hand. The first person to the bottom step is the winner and the new stone teacher. Great game for a class waiting for a bus on a field trip, at home, or recess. Under Which Finger Required: Beans Players: Small to medium groups This is a very old game from the colonial days Each player will be given 5 beans and the leader will have a supply aswell. The leader will take one of the beans and fold his fingers over the bean. The other players will try to

guess which finger the bean is under. If the players guess correctly which finger the bean is under they will each receive a bean but if they guess incorrectly they will each have to give a bean to the leader. When a player has no beans left he is out of the game. The player with the most beans at the end of the game is the winner. Weather Vane Required: Nothing Players: Small to large groups Have children stand scattered throughout their classroom or play area. The leader will point out to the participants the location of the four compass directions- north, south, east and west. Have them all repeat and in a pointing motion show the directions of north, south, east and west, to be sure that everyone understands the positions. When a direction is called the players are to jump in place making the necessary turn in the air to face the called out direction. This is done by a quarter, half or three-quarter turn. You should make sure that all players rotate in the same direction. If the direction is called that the players are at already, you can do one of two things. Your rule could be that they still have to jump and still land in the same direction or that theyre not to jump at all. If their not suppose to jump at all, those that moved would be out of the

game. Anyone that lands in the wrong direction is out of the game. Zonk Required: Container, paper and pencil Players: Small groups Make up draw cards with points assigned. The points system could be as follows, fifteen 5pts, fifteen - 10pts, ten - 20pts, five - 25pts, five - 50pts and three - Zonks. This will give you a total of 53 point cards. Place folded draw cards into a non see through container. Divide into teams and have one person at a time, from each team, draw out a card. The team will receive points for what is written on draw card. If they draw a Zonk they will loose all their points and have to start over. You can allow a person to draw more than one card if they choose. The first team to reach 500pts is the winner. You can also play for higher points and every 500pts the team gets to keep. Each 500pts can be added to a running total.

Relay Games
Baby Care Relay Required: Baby dolls, baby clothes, diapers, powder, small tub or dish pan, peanut butter, water and towel

Players: Small to medium groups Try to come up with life size baby dolls to play this game. Each team will have close to the same size baby and the same items to dress their baby. Items to dress the baby for each team might be booties, t-shirt, diapers, a bonnet or cap and one-piece outfit. To add some excitement you can even put a scoop of peanut butter in each diaper and make sure each team has several diapers for diaper changes. You could even throw in a few diapers with pea soup for an added surprise. To start the game, have the babies dressed and across the room on a table. The first person on each team will undress baby, if the baby had a bowel movement remove with a diaper wipe and place baby in the tub. They return to the team and the next person will dry off baby, power and diaper bottom, dress baby and pat once on bottom to ensure the BM (bowel movement) connects to baby. The next person will remove clothes; wipe bottom and place in tub. The first team to finish rotation will be the winners. This game is a great youth group game, great game for a child development class and for a baby shower. Discuss the dos and donts about taking care of a baby after this game. One of them is never leave a child alone in a tub and baby powder is not used by many

parents because its not good for babies to inhale.

Back Seat Driver Required: Several big wheels or tricycles, blindfolds, and orange construction cones Players: Small to large groups Set up teams so that each team has a small bike to ride, a blindfold and a course with 3 -5 cones ahead of them equally spaced. If you dont have access to cones then make them out of milk jugs filled with sand or water. You can paint them differently for each team. The first player from each team will mount his bike and put on a blindfold, the next player of the team will be the back seat driver. The back seat driver will direct the driver down through the cones weaving in and out, and then back to the start line. The back seat driver will now become the driver and the next person will be the back seat driver. The old driver will go to the back of the line until he becomes the last back seat driver. The first team to complete the rotation is the winner. A great team building game which youth or young couples will enjoy. Ball Relay Required: 15 sets of balls in various sizes, two ball bags and two hula-hoops

Players: Small to large groups This game is great for a physical education teacher. Set up players in two teams. You will need 15 balls for each team. The balls for each team should match in size. You should use medicine balls, basketballs, soccer balls, footballs, kick balls, volleyballs, etc. Each team should have the same size and amount. In front of each team, place a hula-hoop filled with all their balls, the big ones should be on the bottom with the little ones on top. All the balls should fit inside the hoop. At the other end of the field will be a ball bag for each team (big enough to hold all the balls for that team). The first person from each team is to grab a ball, take it down the field, stuff it in the bag, race back and tag the next person who will do the same. You keep doing this until the last ball is left. The person with the last ball will take it down field, stuff it in the bag, bring the bag back to the front of the line where the hoop is and place all the balls back into the hoop. Once all the balls are out of the bag and placed in the hoop that team wins, but the trick is they have to be stacked correctly to fit into the hoop. The big ones must be on the bottom and the little ones on top. Balloon Head Race Required: Balloons Players: Small to large groups

Organize players so that theyre into pairs and each team receives a partially inflated balloon. When the game starts, teams must race to a finish line carrying a balloon between their heads, remember dont use your hands. On hot days try it with water balloons or through a sprinkler. You can even try an obstacle course.

Banana Olympics Required: Bananas Players: Small to large groups Divide the group into teams of 8-10 players and give each team a banana. Each team will complete several series of different relays using their banana. Here are some ideas for those relays. 1. The banana under your armpit and hopping on one leg down a field and back. 2. Place the banana between the knees and hop down a field and back. 3. Two teammates tossing the banana back and forth down the field and back. 4. Place the banana on the ground and each teammate must roll across the banana. 5. Teammates line up in leapfrog formation and first player hops over players while holding banana and then tosses banana to next player in line to do the same.

Show the players all the relays that theyll have to complete for the Olympics. You may have to write them on a large white board so that all players will know what relay is next. Once a team has completed all these relays someone on the team must eat the banana and the team that is done first is the winner. Use your own ideas, add to the list or use only a few ideas. You can adjust this game to all types of players including the disabled.

Beanbag Bowling Required: 5 bowling pins and 5 bean bags Players: Medium to large groups Play on a smooth flat surface like a gym floor. Divide players into four teams. Place one bowling pin exactly in the center of a 30ft - 40ft circle. The other four pins will be placed evenly around the outside of the circle. One player from each team will be on the outside of the circle standing next to their bowling pin but slightly behind it. The player is given a FlingSock or beanbag to hold onto while they run. When signaled the players are to run around the outside of the circle in a clockwise direction. Once they make a complete circle they are to stand at their bowling pin, toss their bag so that it will slide across the floor in an attempt to knock down the bowling pin. If their

bag misses they are to retrieve their bag and return to their throwing position and try again until someone knocks down the pin. The team that knocks down the pin receives 5 points. The next players on each team will do the same until all players have had a chance to do the relay. The team with the most points is the winner.

Big Foot Required: Large rubber boots and grass play area Players: Small to large groups Set up teams with each team assigned one pair of large rubber boots. These boots can be fishing waders and it would be helpful if the players could just slide their shoes right into the boots without taking off their shoes. Have teams line up behind the starting line. The first person on each team must put on the rubber boots, race down grass course and back, take off the boots and the next person on the team will do the same. When the last person on one of the teams crosses back through the starting line first, they are the winners. Blanket Carry Required: One blanket for each team, cones Players: Medium to large groups

Play this game in an open grassy area. Divide the group into teams of 10 players. Each team will be given one blanket. Set out one cone per team at the end the playing field for players to go around. Each team will need four players to carry the blanket; one player on each corner and the corners will be numbered corner #1, #2, #3 and #4. They will also need one player to ride in the blanket. The players will rotate after each carry so that each player on the team has been at all of the corner positions and the carried player. On go, the teams will race down around the cones and back then rotate until all players have had a turn. If one team is short on players that team will have to repeat some players so that all teams take the equal amount of trips down and back. The first team to complete the rotation is the winner.

Blinded Ball Retrieval Required: Containers, balls and blindfolds Players: Small to large groups Separate into teams of 4-8 players and each team will have one container of balls and one blindfold. Each container will have to same amount of balls about 3-5 depending on the size of the teams. The container of balls will be placed about six feet in front of the teams. The first player will put on the blindfold and then the balls will be dumped out. Each player will

try to retrieve 3 balls and place them back into their own container by following instructions given by the rest of the team. Once they have done this they can remove their blindfold and return to the next person in line. That person will put on the blindfold and the balls will be dumped. They will also retrieve 3 balls for their container. The balls can be any balls that they find but they have to go into their own container. If they put a ball into the wrong container it will count for the other team. Caution the players not to run because they can bump into the other players that are blindfolded. Its best if only one person from the team tells the blindfolded player where to go. It will take teamwork trying to keep quiet so that the player can listen for direction. The first team done with the rotation is the winner.

Bucket Brigade Required: 2 water bottles per team and small (bathroom size) paper cups Players: Small to large groups Game of the Month 5/08 Divide into teams of 5 to 10 players. Each team will be given two water bottles, one full and the other empty. Each player will receive one cup. The teams line up front to back in a row sitting on the floor. The person in front will

hold the full water bottle and the last person on the team will have the empty water bottle. On go, the first person in line will pour water into his cup and then without turning pour his cup of water into the cup of the player behind him. Each player will pour his cup of water into the cup of the next player. The last player will then pour his cup of water into the water bottle. As soon as the first player passes his water he can refill the cup and start passing again. They will continue until all the water is out of the first bottle. The team with the most water in the bottle at the back of the line is the winner.

Chimp Race Players: Small to large groups Set up teams and play area. The first person on each team is to bend over with feet apart and grab their ankles. On go, they are to race down the course and back without letting go of their ankles. Each person on the team repeats the relay. The first team done is the winner.

Cracker Whistle Required: Crackers, table or counter, cups and water

Players: Small to large groups Set up 2-4 teams depending on the number of players. The first player on each team will run to one main table, eat two crackers and then attempt to whistle. Once a player has whistled they run back to their team and tag the next player. That player will also do the same until everyone has completed the task. The first team done is a winner. Make sure you have cups of water nearby just in case someone needs a drink.

Cup Stack Relay Knock Down Required: 8-10 paper or plastic cups and plates, one Fun Gripper Team Handball per team Players: Large groups Fun Gripper Team Handball Set up teams of 8-10 players in lines facing away from the middle of a circle about 15-20 feet away. In the middle of the circle, somewhat lined up with each teams position, is their pile of cups and plates to stack up. Each team will be given one ball. The first player from each team will run down to the middle where their equipment is, and stack the plates and cups alternating them, having the cups face down, and then run to the next person to do the same. The next person will

run down and un-stack them and then re-stack them. But anyone from another team has the option of using their ball to try to knock down any other team's stacked pile to set them behind. This is done only by the next person in line, on their turn, they cannot go do their task until the person behind them has retrieved the thrown ball and brought it back to the group. If a team's cups are knocked down, the person that stacked them has to return and do it again. So the strategy becomes do you knock down someone else's stack or focus only on your team's progress and play it safe. The first team done is the winner of the game.

Kids Outdoor Games Divide up players into teams. Give each team one basketball and one baseball bat. One player at a time from each team will go to their baseball bat, bend over, put their head on the end bat and circle it 5 times while in this position (They should be vary dizzy at this point). Then they will go pick up their basketball dribble down to the hoop and shoot a basket with the ball. Once they have done this they return the ball to its position by the bat and tag the next player on the team to do the same. The first team done completing this rotation is the winner. Dress-up Torture

Rope, donuts, lipstick, marker, cups, sponge rollers, clip earrings, water bombs or water balloons, nail polish, table, envelopes and chairs Players: Small to large groups Heres a new game for the youth groups to play. Divide up into teams of eleven and pick one person willing to go through the Torture. You can even have the leaders go through the torture to show evidence of their courage and faith. If this were the case then youd only need 10 players on each team. All players will line up in a line and their tortured player will be placed in a chair about 6-10 feet in front of them. On a table behind the seated player place items that their teammates will use. For each team have 10 envelopes labeled from 110 and place inside them the instructions as to the task they are to perform. Below is a list of tasks for the Dress-up Torture and in parentheses will be helpful comments to get you started. 1. Tie them to the chair. (For each team provide twine cut about 6-8 feet long, instruct not the tie them too tight.) 2. Feed them a donut. (Donuts will not be too messy but just enough.) 3. Draw a happy face on their forehead with washable marker. (You can use lipstick instead of marker if helpful.)

4. Put lipstick on their lips. (Make sure there are enough tubes so that everyone will receive a clean tube, find someone that sells makeup and get sample tubes if possible.) 5. Give them a drink of water. (Have cups of water poured out ahead of time and you can even make them drink from a straw.) 6. Place 4 sponge rollers in their hair. (You can use hair clips instead of sponge rollers but the roller will be the most effective for a reaction.) 7. Place clip on earrings. (Go to a garage sale or second hand shop to purchase cheap clip on earrings.) 8. Throw a water bomb or water balloon at them. (It must break.) (Dont aim for the head.) 9. Paint all their fingernails on one hand. (Make sure you have nail polish remover after this event.) 10. Kiss their check. (Hey, this could be the luck of the draw, just get it over with, win it for the Gipper.) These are just ideas, you can use your own and add to them if you have more players on each team. The first person on the team will run to the table, open the envelope number 1 and do what is written on the slip (Tie them to the chair). After completing this task they will run back to their team, tag the next player and they will complete the next numbered task.

The first team done is the winner. Make sure you have your camera's ready.

Egg Roll 500 Required: Eggs (cooked or uncooked), obstacle course Players: Small to large groups Set up an obstacle course with a start and finish line. If outdoors, players can do this barefoot if weather permitting. The course could go through mud puddles and/or water (sprinkler) if available. Divide into teams and each person is to go through obstacle course pushing an egg with their foot. Flamingo Ball Relay Required: Balls Players: Small to large groups Set up teams of 8 - 11 players and each team will need one ball. Choose one player on each team to toss the ball to their team players. The teams are to line up side-by-side about one to two feet part from the other team players. The players with the balls are to be facing the first player in line about 5-8 feet away. On go, the first player is to stand on one foot (left foot) and the ball is to be passed to them 5 times by their player with the ball. If they put their foot down they are to start over with the count of 5 again. Once that player has completed the 5

passes then the next player will complete the task. You do this all the way down the line until the end. Once the last person has completed standing on the left foot, they will now stand on the right foot for 5 ball passes. The next player will do the same standing now on the right foot working your way back up to the starting point. The first team to complete the ball passing while standing like a Flamingo is the winner. This game idea came to me after reading the book called The Gift of Dyslexia. Flapjack Relay Required: Stack of pancakes, pancake turners and plates Players: Small to large groups Ahead of time cook up enough pancakes so that each team will have about 10-15 pancakes. Have the same amount of pancakes for each team at the starting line on a plate and another plate at the other end the course about 25-30 ft. The first member of each team is to carry the stack of pancakes (all at once) very carefully on the pancake turner to the other plate, lay them on the plate, then return to the next player, and give them the turner. They are to go to the end of course and return the stack back to the starting plate. Keep repeating until everyone has had a turn. The first team done is a winner.

Football Toss Contest Required: Tire, rope, 4 or more Fun Gripper Footballs, place to hang tire (jungle gym, tree, monkey bars) Players: Small to large groups Hang a tire at a level that all players can pass a football through. Divide up into two teams and have them line up on both sides of the tire so that they are staring at each other. Give the teams the same amount of footballs. The first one in both lines is to throw all balls through the tire in hopes to block the opposing players throw and/or receive one point per score. When done, that person is to retrieve balls back to starting container and next person is to continue. The team with the most points wins. Use Fun Gripper football to prevent injury from getting hit or if you use hard footballs wear bike helmets.

Four Leaf Clover Race Required: Cut out two 5 inch clovers for each team Players: Small to large groups Set up teams with first person on each team holding 2 four leaf clovers. On go they are to place the clovers in front of them to step across course. When they step to the second one, they are to pick up the first one while standing on one foot. Once they pick up the first one they place that one in front and step

on it. The object is to go across the course stepping on only the clovers without stepping on the floor. If they step on the floor they must return to the starting line and start again. You can use different variations of this game. You could line a gym up with everyone holding clovers and the first one across is the winner. This also could be varied for the time of the year, Valentines, Crosses for Easter, Bunnies, or Spring Flowers.

Frosting Signature Required: Frosting, tables, wax paper and decorating bags Players: Small to large groups For each team you need cake-decorating bags filled with frosting. Set up tables with wax paper on them and one decorating bag filled with frosting for each team. Each player on each team will race down to the table and write their name on the wax paper with the frosting bag. You can have them write just their first name or both. To make the game longer you could make them have to fill the bag once they get down to the table. To lengthen the game writing their full name would make them have to possibly fill the bag again. You could have a judge make sure that the writing is legible. The first team to finish writing their names is the winner.

Garden Bubble Gum Blow Required: Packs of bubble gum and new garden gloves Players: Small to large groups In large groups set up two to three teams. Have your teams line up and sit down if possible. On go, the first person in each team puts on the garden gloves. They will then open the package of gum, pull out a piece, unwrap it, chew it, blow a bubble, and then pass the gloves to the next player. The first team to complete the task wins. The winners can take home the garden gloves and all the used chewing gum they can handle. Handicapped Kiss Required:: Chocolate kisses, plastic bowls, applesauce or pudding, old clothes or plastic trash bags as bibs, outdoors or kitchen/cafeteria area Players: Small to large groups Set up teams of about five to six. For each player there should be a bowl from which they will retrieve one chocolate kiss out of the bottom, but the bowl will be filled with some type of semi liquid like applesauce. These bowls will be placed about 30 ft away from start line and you can mark players names on the bowls. Each teams bowls should be

grouped together. They can be placed on the ground, floor or a table. Once set up, the object is for one team member at a time, to race down to their bowl and retrieve the chocolate kiss with their mouth, keeping their hands behind their back. They are to eat it while standing at the bowls so they dont choke. They then run back and the next team member does the same. You can use candy corn instead of chocolate kisses if your concerned about the players chocking. This is a game that makes them aware what its like not having the use of your hands or arms. Ask them if they learned anything from this game. Hang'em-Gang Relay Required: 16 pieces of clothing, 16 plastic hangers, 2 wooden rods Players: Small to medium groups Select 2 teams of 10 players each. Pick 2 of the 10 players on each team (or use adults) to hold the wooden rod. Select a starting point and line up the teams. Take 8 hangers and 8 pieces of clothing. Mix them together in a pile. GO, 1st player runs to pile finds a hanger and a piece of clothing, puts the clothing on the hanger and hangs it on the wooden rod. Player then runs back to the starting point and tags the next team member. The first team to successfully hang all the clothing wins. To make it a little more difficult you can assign

particular pieces of clothing they must find to hang. Hippie Shake Sweep Up Required:: Wisk brooms, thin rope, tape and small items Players: Small to large groups Pick out an item that would be good to sweep into an area like miniature marshmallows, peanuts or raisins (items that cause a slight resistance). Each team will need one wisk broom (small handled broom), rope and items to sweep. Attach a rope to the handle of the broom. Make it long enough to fit around any players waist and still be able to just touch the ground. Have the rope and broom hang down in the middle to the stomach of each first team player, so that it can swing freely between their legs. Each team will have a square taped out on a hard surface that would be divided in half by tape. The items to sweep will be on one side the of divided area. Their job is to sweep the items to the other part of the square, using a Hippie Shake motion making the broom swing back and forth through their legs. Once that player is done the next person will do the same and the first team to complete the task is the winner. Great game for youth groups or could be used as a wedding shower game.

Ice Fishing Required: Roasting pan, ice cubes, and marbles Players: Small to medium groups Fill a roasting pan with ice and then put marbles in it. You can break the kids up into teams and then have each person on the team come and try to fish out one of the marbles with their bare feet. The first team done wins. Youll really like watching everyones expressions when they stick their feet in the ice. Inchworm Required:: Paper cups and sand or water Players: Small to large groups This can be played as teams or individually. Mark off a starting point and finish line. Players are to lie belly down, with cup filled with sand placed on their back, crawl like an inchworm to finish line. If cup falls off and spills they are to start over. The first team done is the winner. Jelly Bean Relay Required: Spoons, two dishes for each team and jelly beans Players: Small to large groups Each team has equal amount of jelly beans in one dish and one empty dish. Youll need

enough spoons for everyone that is playing. The object is for each team to have one person at a time, move jelly beans from one bowl to the other. This is done with hands behind their back, spoon in their mouth and one bean at a time. The first team to have all members complete this task is the winner. You can use items like lemon drops (my favorite), heart candies or anything other than jelly beans. Jingle Bell Relay Required: Bells and various props Players: Small to medium groups You will need about 6-8 1" round bells per team along with various props at each station. Set up an obstacle course for the players. The course could be decorated for the holiday season. They might have to jump over holiday garland, step through a holiday ornament mine field (plastic ornaments), kiss a picture of Santa (or some other holiday figure) hanging under mistletoe, stack holiday cups and plates on a table and then put them back in place for the next person, carry a stack of wrapped packages from one point to another and back, wrap a package, at one station they might sing "I wish you a Merry Christmas" three times, and eat a Christmas cookie. Get creative and come up with other ideas of your own. Then divide into two teams and give each team 6-8

bells. Each person on the team will have to go through the course carrying all the bells (in their hands, not their pockets or mouths). If they drop a bell they have to go back to get it. The bells can be set down at a station if needed to complete the task. The first team to finish wins.

Knot Race Required: Ropes or sheets Players: Small to large groups Set up two teams with a rope for each team. Tie as many knots as there are player in each team. On go, the first person in the team is to untie a knot, then hand the rope to the next person and repeat. The first team to untie all their knots is the winner. Variations: Have the teams send the rope down the line with them tying the knots and then back up the line untying them. You could even have them use only one hand to untie the knots which means they would have to use their teeth. Please use a clean rope or sheet for this variation. Leaning Tower of Cheeza Required: Tables, crackers, cans of spray cheese, and plates Players: Small to large groups

Set up teams of 6 - 10 players and each team will need one table, one can of cheese, 1 or 2 packages of crackers and one plate. The tables will be placed on the other side of the room. The teams will line up and the first player on each team will go to the table, squirt cheese on the plate, add one cracker, run back. The rest of the players on each team will do the same. You can do this as a timed game where the players have 3 minutes to build their tower or the first rotation is done. The team that has the tallest tower and most crackers in their tower is the winner. For another game with these items see Stuck On You - Relay Games section. Lemon Relay Required: Lemons, pencils, and rolling course Players: Small to large groups Divide into two groups or more depending on participants and supplies. At starting line, teams are to roll lemon using a pencil through a short course and back to starting point. Each person on team must complete task until the first team complete is the winner.

Lily Pad Required: Paper plates Players: Small to large groups

Divide the group into teams of 4 or more. They will have 2 fewer plates than the number of teammates. The object of this game is to get all team members across a space (pond) by stepping on the plates (lily pads) only. The number of people on the team will determine length of space. Since they are using 9" plates, a bit of leniency should be practiced as far as stepping only on the plates. At least half of the players foot must be on the plate. Each team must come up with a strategy for passing the plates back and forth in order to get all teammates across the span. The first team to get all members across wins. After the teams try this, and think they have it figured out, have them try again with these variations: -No shouting out instructions; in fact, NO words at all. They can use stomps, grunts, snaps or whatever else they can come up with, but no talking. -Every 30-45 seconds, (moderator controlled), one plate is taken from the team, (moderators choice). Whoever is on that plate must go back to the beginning, and the team has to come up with a strategy to get that person back with the team. M & M Toss Required: Bags of M & M candies, plastic spoons and cups Players: Small to large groups

You can play this game with two players per team or a whole team in a rotation. For two players per team divide up into teams and have the players stand about six feet apart. The players should be standing face to face with one player as the shooter and the other player as the receiver. If you have a large group, have them stand in a line to monitor the six-foot separation point. All the shooters will be given one cup of M & M candies and a plastic spoon. When signaled the shooter will try to shoot one M & M from the plastic spoon into the mouth of the other player from the sixfoot distance point. They must shoot the M & M past the marking point in the air to be caught. The receiver cannot step ahead of the marking point to catch an M & M. Once a receiver catches the M & M the cup will be given to them and then shooter will now be the receiver. The first team done is the winner. For a larger teams simply rotate a new shooter in and rotate the first shooter to be the receiver. The first team to finish the rotation wins. Marble Noodles Required: Vegetable oil, noodles, marbles, bowls or large container and plastic tarps Players: Small to medium groups You can play this game inside if you lay down plastic tarps and provide wipes to clean the players feet once they have completed their

task. If you play this game outside you won't need the plastic tarps. Pre-cook the curly type of noodles and pour into bowls, add cup of oil, marbles and mix well. Divide players into teams and each team player one at a time will go down to the container and pull out 3-5 marbles with their toes. Then the next player on the team will do the same. The first team to complete the task is the winner. Youll need a leader to add back the marbles within the noodles once the designated number has been pulled from each turn. Mellows On A Line Required: Large marshmallows, goggles, line and skewer Players: Small to large groups String an even number large marshmallows on fishing line or clean string by poking a hole through the marshmallows with skewer. Space them about 6" apart on the line with one marshmallow for each player. If marshmallows are too soft you might have to set them on a cookie sheet and place them in a freezer for a while before poking a hole through them. Make sure they are fully defrosted before playing the game. Secure the line by tying it to trees or have players holding it. Set up 2 teams and each player one at a time will put on a set of goggles, eat one of the marshmallows and then tag the next player to

do the same. The first team done is the winner.

Mirror Throw Required: Hand mirrors, hula-hoops, FlingSocks, Water Splash Bombs or small balls Players: Small to medium groups Divide into teams of 3 to 5 players. Each team will be given one hand mirror and a set of 3 chosen objects to throw. Each team will have the same type of items to throw. One team member will start out holding the hula-hoop about 10 feet away for his teammate. The first teammate must turn his back toward the hulahoop and use the hand mirror to view the location of the hula-hoop and throw his soft items through one at a time. Once that player has attempted the tosses, he will rotate to holding the hula-hoop and the next player in line will do that same. The hula-hoop holder will go to the back of the line. Once all players have attempted the toss. The team that gets the most items through the hoop wins.

Noodle-Knee-Relay Required: Two noodle floats (the long floatation devices) Players: 8 players

The first player places the noodle between their knees, goes around an obstacle course as they hop. After they get back to the starting line they pick up another team member. They will both now hold the noodle between their knees while the first continues to hop and the second runs. They go back to the starting line and pick up the 3rd team member who must skip while the others continue to do their actions, all while the noodle remains between the knees. Finally pick up the last team member who grabs the noodle (while facing the opposite way as the rest of the team) and they do one of the three prior actions (Leader to choose).

Oatmeal Raisin Relay Required: Old clothes or swimsuits, two large pans of cooked oatmeal and raisins Players: Small to large groups Cook up two large pans of oatmeal and cool. Divide off half of oatmeal into a bowl and mix in raisins to the oatmeal in the pan, then add separated part to cover raisins. Have pans lined up at end of course for each team. Teams are to run down course one at a time, retrieve one raisin, run back to deposit raisin in container and the next teammate does the same. The first team the complete task is the winner. Try this game again after you add

raisins back. Play outdoors on a warm day so at the end they can have an oatmeal fight. Oatmeal is supposed to be good for the skin.

Orange Eating Race Required: Oranges Players: Small to large groups Divide into groups depending on participants and supplies. The object is for each person to help peel the orange and eat it. Start out with everyone washing their hands and the oranges. The first person from each team is to peal one piece of skin then hand to the next person in line to peal one more piece of skin. Once the orange is peeled teams are to take one section of orange pass the rest to next player and eat his section. First team done peeling and eating their orange is the winner!!! (very appealing) Caution - dont choke on the seeds.

Orange Relay Required: Oranges Players: Small to large groups Divide into groups depending on participants and supplies. The object is to pass the orange from one teammate to the next from under the

chin without using your hands. If groups are small, make them go around twice.

Out of the Water Required: Long rope (about 30ft), two sets of swimming fins, hula hoops or balls for task to complete Players: Small to medium groups Set up 2 teams with 3 to 6 players per team. The first 2 players will each be tied around the waist with opposite ends of the same rope. They will be required to complete a task while wearing swimming fins and while the other person is trying to do the same at the opposite end. Allow enough rope so that it will be short and the competitors will have to pull against each other to reach the task. The task could be trying to shoot balls into a trash can or loop hula hoops around a cone or trash can. You should mark off for each player the position that they have to be in to receive a hoop or ball, and a player on their team can toss the object to them so they can attempt to complete the task. Give the players 5-7 objects and the first player to accomplish that task will receive a point for their team. The next two players now do the same. The team with the most points is the winner. Pass the Pretzels

Required: Bags of sticks pretzels and twisted pretzels Players: Small to large groups Set up teams, give each player one stick pretzel and have them put one end into their mouth. The first player on each team is also given a twisted pretzel to be balanced on the other end of the stick pretzel. They are to turn and pass the twisted pretzel to their teammate that is standing next to them. That player will turn and pass the twisted pretzel to the next player and so forth until the twisted pretzel has be passed all the way to the end of the line. If the twisted pretzel is dropped the person previous to them is to pick it up, place it on their stick and pass it back to them. If it breaks or is not whole, an official is to give them a new twisted pretzel. The team that is first to pass the pretzel down to the end of the line is the winner. You could play this game on your next bus trip with your youth group. Set up four teams and they have to pass the pretzel for one end of the bus over the seats to the other end of the bus. Have official stand in the isles to ensure that the isle seat players pass the pretzels over the seats. Pasta Trail Required: Cooked spaghetti, outdoor area, and containers Players: Small to large groups

Figure out how many teams youll have and thats how many containers of spaghetti you need. Have teams line up outdoors at starting point. One person from each team is to take three pieces of spaghetti, lay one piece down at a time beginning at the starting line and where the first one ends the next piece will start. The first team member should end up with three pieces of spaghetti laying down in a row, heading down the course. Then the next team member will take three pieces and start where the other team member left off. The first team to reach the finish line is the winner!! Note: When cooking spaghetti use cooking oil in water to prevent spaghetti from sticking together.

Pick Up Sticks Required: Oven mitts, containers and toothpicks Players: Small to large groups Set up teams and one at a time they are to complete task. They are to put on oven mitt and pick up toothpicks, placing them into a container. Ahead of time you should count out the same amount toothpicks for each team participating. The first team where each player has completed task is the winner. Ping-Pong Relay

Required: Buckets and ping-pong balls Players: Small to large groups For each team, have one bucket and five pingpong balls. The object is to have players one at a time, run barefoot down the course to where bucket and five ping-pong balls are on the ground. They are to sit on the ground and using only their feet, pick up the ping-pong balls and put them into the bucket. Once they have all the balls into the bucket, they are to dump them out, run back to the team and have the next person do the same. The first team with everyone completing the task is the winner. You could try water bombs instead of ping-pong balls. Pinkie Link Race Required: Balloons Players: Small groups Set up teams. Have the 1st two in each team stand back to back and then have a 3rd person on each team place a balloon between the 1st two people. They must race down field, sit at end of field, stand back up and return to starting point. Next two must do the same until everyone has completed task. Good luck, have fun and don. t pop the balloon.

Potato Picker Required: Raw Potatoes, chairs and buckets

Players: Small to large groups Divide your group up into teams. Each team will need one chair placed in front of them, a bag of potatoes and a bucket on the other side of the playing area. When signaled, the first players on each team will pull out one potato from the potato bag and place it on the chair in front of them. The potato should be placed close to the edge so that they can sit down on the chair. The object is to try to sit down and then stand up with the potato between their legs. They cannot use their hands. Once they are able to stand with the potato they will carefully wobble (walking backwards) over to the bucket and drop the potato into the bucket without using their hands. They will race back to their team, tag the next player and that player will do the same. The first team through the rotation will be the winner. You might have to scrub a few potatoes if the players are not dressed to possibly get dirt on them. Roll-Ups On A Line Required: Clothespins, Clothesline and Fruit Roll-Ups Players: Small to large groups Hang a clothesline or have willing participants hold the clothesline if theres no place to hang it. Unroll the Fruit Roll-Ups (assorted flavors to keep everyone happy) so they will hang straight and attach one end of each roll-up to the clothesline with a clothespin. Space the

roll-up's about 6 to 8 inches apart on the clothesline and make sure you have one Fruit Roll-Up per player. Set up 2-4 teams depending on the length of the clothesline or how many lines you have. Different teams can work on the same line but on opposite sides of the line or across from each other. The first team member on each team will run to the clothesline and eat one of the Fruit Roll-Ups off the line with their hands behind their backs, return to their team and tag the next player to do the same. The first team to eat all of their Fruit Roll-Ups will be the winners. To add an extra twist for those crazy youth groups you can blindfold the players as they attempt to complete their task. Be very careful of the choking hazard. Rolling-Pin Race Required: Ground markers or ropes Players: Small to large groups On grassy ground, mark out a starting point and finish line. Have players paired off and each pair will lie on the ground opposite each other with heads toward each other and feet pointing away. Lift hands above heads and hold hands with partner to form a long rolling pin. When signaled, teams roll from starting point to finish line together. You can probably only have a couple of pairs at a time race depending on racing area available. Then have play-offs (roll-offs) of the winning teams.

Make sure you have play clothes on because MOM hates grass stains! Scarecrow Jump Rope Required: Scarecrow from "Build A Scarecrow" and jump ropes Players: Small to large groups Each scarecrow team will become a relay team. The first two players on each team will carry the scarecrow while racing to a large jump rope placed at the other end of the playfield. One player will pick up the jump rope and the other player will hold the scarecrow. They will attempt to jump all three of them in the jump rope five times and then race back for the next two players to do the same. The team that is done first is the winner. If your scarecrows are too tall for this event, use larger jump ropes and have additional players at each end of the jump rope. The team that completes a rotation of holding and jumping five jumps with the scarecrow is the winner. Scarecrow Lift Relay Required: Scarecrows from "Build A Scarecrow" and cones Players: Small to large groups Once the teams have their scarecrows built, have them participate in a few games with their scarecrow. Place cones out in an open

field. The fisrt two players on each team are to carry the scarecrow over the top of their heads, with one player holding the legs and the other holding the head or shoulders. Have the scarecrow facing up to help keep it from falling apart. They are to race down the field around the cone and back to the next two players on their team who will do the same. The first team to finish with their scarecrow intact is the winner.

Shoulder Grip Required: Balloons Players: Small to large groups Set up 2 teams, you need one person on each team to be the middle man. They stand at the other end of the room across from their team and can move about to help teammates. Put a balloon in-between the shoulders of 2 teammates and have them run down to the other end and back. The balloon carriers are not aloud to touch balloon with their hands, only the middle man, at the other end can. The middle man (which can touch the balloon), can put the balloon back between shoulders if it falls to the ground. When they return to the starting line they then pass off the balloon. First team to finish wins. You can also use this game as a memory verse game. As each 2 teammates finish

across the line, before they hand off the balloon to the next 2, they must say a memory verse. Hope you have fun. You can make this creative by using a ball or water balloon or a raw egg. Just do what the kids like the best, they are the ones that have to get wet, egged, or just have a good time. Sled Race Required: Winter weather, sleds and play area Players: Small to large groups Plan out a safe play area or course. Have one player be the rider and the other player the puller. You can do this many ways like a relay where the person that rode last gets to be the puller until all players have pulled the sled. The first team done is the winner. Snake Pit Required: Blindfolds and ropes Players: Small to large groups Divide the group up into teams of 8-12 players. Each team will need one blindfold and the first person on each team will put it on. Lay out 3-5 ropes across the play area that will have to be crossed over by the players with the blindfolds. The next player in line will lead the blindfolded player across the play area and back by the sound of their voice. If the blindfolded player touches the ropes or leader that player will have to go back and start over. Once the

blindfolded player has made it back to the starting line, the leader will put on the blindfold and do the same. The next person in line will now be the new leader. The first team to finish leading all players across the Snake Pit by faith is the winner. Snow Blowing Relay Required: Paper towel tubes and ping-pong balls Players: Small to large groups Set up each team with one ping-pong ball and one paper towel tube. If you wish to, you can decorate the tubes by painting them or wrapping them with different types of wrapping paper, but leave the two ends open. Set up the course with confetti-like snowflakes, stars and so on. Each team member one by one will put their ping-pong ball on the starting line, get on their hands and knees and blow through the tube to move the ball while going down the course and back. The next player will do the same after receiving the tube from the previous player. The first team done is the winner. Spaghetti Head Required: Boxes of Spaghetti Players: Small to large groups

Find willing participants with a lot of hair, for the best results make the recipients the group leaders. Divide players into teams and for each team you must have a hairy recipient that will receive uncooked spaghetti stuck through their hair. It would work best if each recipient were sitting in a chair. Give each team one box of spaghetti and each player receives about 3 pieces of spaghetti. The first person on each team will race to their designated spaghetti recipient and carefully stick the uncooked pieces of spaghetti through the recipients head. They will return to the team and the next person will do the same. Remember to carefully do this without drawing blood or brain tissue. The recipients can cover their eyes to protect them, also point out that they should avoid poking around the ears. When the first team has emptied their box of spaghetti they are the winners. Make sure you have your cameras available, this game makes great pictures. Great relay game for youth groups or youth events.

Spin Relay Required: Fun Gripper Baseball Bats Players: Small to large groups

Set up 2 or more teams. One person from each team is to race down field, stand up bat,

bend their body forward with head on bat and quickly spin around the bat 10 times, then run back for next player to do the same. Be sure to do this on a soft surface since they will be very dizzy and may fall down. The first team to complete the relay wins. Spoon Water Relay Required: Tablespoons (for adults), large serving spoons (for children) - 1 per team; 1 bucket per team, 1 large can per team (juice can works), water Players: Medium to large groups Divide your players into teams of 6-10. Place a bucket of water at one end of the field and the jar or can about 10 feet away (20 feet for adults). Each team lines up behind the bucket of water. The first person takes the spoon, fills it with water, and empties it into the jar or can. He then runs back to the line and hands the spoon to the next player. The first team to fill their jar or can wins! Stuck On You Required: Cans of spray cheese, boxes of crackers, plastic aprons and table Players: Small to large groups Divide into teams and each team will have one can of spray cheese and a box of crackers sitting on a table near the recipient. Each team will need one person willing to wear a plastic

apron that will cover them from their neck down. The first person from each team will race down to their table, squirt some cheese on a cracker and press the cracker into the body of the covered participant. They will race back to the next person in the line tag them and they will do the same. When one team has completely emptied a box of crackers or one team has run out of cheese the game ends. The team with the most crackers still attached to their team member is the winner. So remember to do a great job of sticking those crackers on and encourage the recipient not to move so that the crackers will stay attached. Great relay game for someone in need of a family picnic game, youth group or youth event. Suitcase Relay Required: Suitcases, large silly clothes such as: pants or funny skirts, shirt, hat, scarf, mittens & shoes Players: Small to large groups Divide into teams depending on supplies. Have suitcase filled with same amount of silly clothes for each team to put on. First teammate is to run and open suitcase, put on clothes, clap three times, remove clothes, place back into suitcase, close it and tag next teammate. The next person to do the same. First team to complete task is the winner.

Sweep Exchange Required: Brooms Players: Small to medium groups This game can be played as teams or pair off if you have enough old brooms. Divide into teams, giving each team an old broom. One player will sit on the sweeping end of the broom, holding onto the handle. The other player will pull him across the floor to the goal. As soon as they reach goal, they are to exchange positions and go back to the starting point.

Team Balloon Relay Required: 10 Balloons per team, roped off area, blindfolds Players: Small to large groups Players are divided into 4 teams with about 6 members each. 4 different colored balloons are used where one color is assigned per team. About 10 balloons for each team are blown up and all balloons (40) are placed in center area mixed about. One player from each team is blindfolded and sent into the center near the balloons from his side of a squared off wider area. On go, the blindfolded members are instructed by their seeing members to collect a balloon. They must choose one balloon of their teams color and

return to their line. Another member is blindfolded and sent in to retrieve a balloon. A referee can rearrange the balloons once a member is blindfolded so that the player isn't using a visual memory and must rely on directions of teammates. The first team to retrieve all of their balloons wins. Team Shuffle Required: Large play area, (field, gym, or large room) Players: Small to large groups Divide all players into four teams. Have them line in the four different corners of the field so that one whole team is at each corner, lined up one behind the other. The object of this game is to get all of the teams from one corner through to the opposite corner. This is done while all the other teams do the same so that they all meet in the middle. They are to do this with both hands out to be used as bumpers for protection, each player following one behind the other. Once they get through the middle and reach the other side they are to sit down in a line up formation. The first team sitting is the winner. You do this several different times in several different ways, and never running, only walking. Some other ways of doing this are by hopping, skipping, walking backwards, and wheel borrowing (one person holds another persons feet).

Three-Legged Race Required: Scarf or pieces of cloth Players: Small to large groups Have each team break off into pairs. If you have adults playing, match each adult with a child. Take one scarf and tie together the inside ankles of the pairs while they stand hip to hip. Mark off a starting line and finish line for the players to race through. The first team to cross the finish line is the winner. You could even plot out a marathon or obstacle course for them to run through. Three Person Relay Required: 5 bowling pins, 4 FlingSocks or batons to pass Players: Medium to large groups You will need a flat surface play area like a gym floor or outdoor surface. Divide players into four teams and you will use three players from each team to start the game. Place one bowling pin exactly in the center of a 30ft - 40ft circle. The other four pins will be placed evenly around the outside of the circle. Of the three players from one team, two will be on the inside of the circle lined side by side on the other side of the bowling pin. The other player will be on the outside of the circle standing next to the bowling pin but slightly behind it. All

four teams will be lined up in this order within Three Person Relaythis circle. The outside person is given a FlingSock or baton to hold onto while they run. When signaled to go, all outside players are to run completely around the outside of the circle and pass the baton to the next player that should be waiting to receive the baton. The old runner will join the rest of the waiting team on the outside of the circle and should try to stay away from the rest of the running players. The next player will do the same pattern. The last of the three runners will run around the circle, return to there starting point, and then run to the center of the circle to try grab the bowling pin in the center. The team that retrieves the bowling pin will receive 5 points. For additional points you can place the bowling pin on top of a beanbag. The second place team retrieves the beanbag and will receive 2 points. Once this is completed set up the next three players from each team to do the same relay.

Three Stooges Required: Stripes of cloth, walkmans, obstacle course Players: Small to large groups Divide up into the teams of three and have the three team members stand side by side. They will tie their legs together so that the end

players are attached to the middle player. Make sure you use soft cloth stripes. One of the three players will be blindfolded. One will be required to listen to music and not be able to hear. And the other player will not be allowed to speak, you can use a gag if needed. Once properly set up, all teams are to maneuver through the plotted course and back. The plotted course could be crawling under ropes, over safe items like tires, going around items and through them. The first team to return to the finish line is the winner. Tunnel Race Players: Small to large groups Teams race against each other while lined up in relay formation. All players spread their legs in straddle position and the last player from each team crawls through the legs. The next player follows in turn until the team is back into original formation. As soon as a player has crawled through the tunnel, they are to stand up so the next player can get through his legs. The first team that completes the order is the winner. Whip Creamed Bubbles Required: Small paper plates, whip cream, bubble gum and tables Players: Small to large groups

Heres one of those messy games that the youth groups will love to play or you can play this at the next family reunion at the lake. Divide into teams of 6 10 players per team. Set up tables with small paper plates one plate per player is what youll need. On each plate place one piece of unwrapped bubble gum and then scoop or spray whip cream into the plate to cover the bubble gum. The first players from each team will run to the table place their face into the plate of whip cream (keeping their hands behind their back) to find the bubble gum with their mouth. They are to chew the bubble gum, create a bubble and then run to tag the next player on their team. They are to do the same until all players have had a turn. The first team done with this game is the winners.

William Tell Race Required: Apples and play area Players: Small to large groups Divide into teams. Have one person at a time from each team put an apple on their head. They are to walk down the course and back, keeping the apple on their head. The next person does the same; the first team done is the winner. Winter Gear Shuffle

Required: Winter hat, mittens, boats, snow pants, and jacket Players: Small to medium groups All players should have the same items to put on to make the game fair. Once you determined items that will be used, have players place those items in the center of a room. Players are to step back about 10 feet away in a circle. You are to nicely mix up the pile to make the game challenging. You can even have them turn their backs, so that everyone has a fair chance. At your signal, the players will race to the center, find their items and get dressed. The first player done is to shout "All Dressed", and theyre the winner.

Whistling Dixie Required: Garden gloves and packages of crackers Players: Small to large groups Set up teams and play areas. The first person on each team is to put on the garden gloves, run down the relay lane, take a package of crackers and open the package with the gloves. Then put the crackers in your mouth and start to chew them but DONT SWALLOW YET. Before you swallow the crackers you must whistle loud enough for the judge to hear. Each person on the team repeats the relay. The first team done is the winner.

What's on your heart? Required: Construction paper, marker, & scissors Players: Small to medium groups Cut out paper hearts for as many players as think you'll have plus a few extras. Label each heart with a task and then place them upside down or fold each one in half so the task is not showing. Here are some ideas for tasks to be labeled on the hearts: jump, hop, skip, walk backwards, crawl like a snake, jump like a frog, sing a song, say a poem, and whatever other creative ideas you come up with. Place the pile or several piles at the opposite end of a player area. Divide up into teams. One person from each team will run to the pile, select a heart and do what is required of them while returning back to the team. The next player will do the same. The first team done with their rotations is the winner.

Tag Games
Animal Game Required: Play area Players: Small to medium groups You need at least 10 kids playing including a caller. All the players must first line up in front

of the caller, and the caller whispers an animal name to each player that they will be in the game. Once all the names are given out, the caller gives them ten seconds to run around. Afterwards, the caller starts calling animals out. When the caller calls an animal, that person has to run from everyone and all the other players have to tag that person to get him or her out, but the caller doesnt have to wait until the person is out to call the next animal. The caller can call another animal before or after the person is tagged, its up to the caller. This goes on until there are only two players left. The remaining players must go to a designated area with boundaries to do a sudden death. They do the same thing, but this time they are not allowed to step out of the boundaries. If they step or are tagged, they are out and the last one standing is the winner. The winner will be the caller in the next game. Belly Double Circle Tag Players: Small to medium groups Choose one player to be the runner and one player to be the chaser. All other players are to lie in a big circle in groups of two. The players lay side-by-side then a space then the next two players with their heads facing the center of the circle and lying on their bellies. On go, the chaser will try to tag the runner. The runner will run on the outside of the circle and try to find a space to lie down next to one set

of players. The player on the opposite side of that group will have to get up and start running from the chaser. If the runner is tagged then they are to turn around and chase the chaser. The new runner will find a spot to lie down and the player on the opposite side will start running because they are the new runner. Can be used by a coach to condition any young athletes. Blind Squirt Required: Blindfold and squirt gun Players: Small to large groups Choose someone to be the shooter and blindfold them so that they cannot see. Set up a circle with rope or hoses as boundaries. Place the shooter in the middle of a circle of players. You can spin the shooter around a few times if you wish. To start, have the shooter try to shoot the players in the circle. If a player is shot they are out of the game. Have players try and get other players out by standing behind someone and saying something. Not only will players have to move around a lot, but they will also have to watch their backs from other devious players. The last player to be shot without leaving the circle is the winner and the new shooter. Blob Tag Required: Large play area Players: Medium to large groups

You start this tag game with two people as the blob. They have to lock their arms together and cannot come apart. Once the blob tags someone, they become part of the blob and add to the end. The blob becomes bigger and bigger. Only the ends of the blob can tag someone, so players can run through the blob, if possible without getting tagged.

Buzz Tag Players: Medium to large groups Set up team boundary lines. One person from any team will try to cross the other teams' boundary line. Once across the line they have to make a BUZZ sound the whole time on one breath. They try to tag as many players without getting tagged or out of breath. The players that are tagged are out of the game. If another player grabs the buzzing player from behind and holds him or her until they run out of breath all those that were tagged are free and that player is out of the game. Caged Lion Players: Small group A player is selected to be the lion and takes a position on his hands and knees inside a 10 ft square. Other players tease the lion by standing in the cage area or running through it.

The lion tries to tag any of the players. Anyone who is tagged by the lion trades places with him. Chariot War Required: FlingSocks or rags Players: Small to large groups Have players divided into smaller groups of threes. Two of the players link arms and become the horses. The third player is the chariot driver and holds onto the horses by their belts. Each driver has a FlingSock or rag tucked under his belt in back and it is able to come out easily if pulled. The teams are lined up, backs to the wall, around the room. On GO, each team tries to steal as many tails as possible without losing its own. When a team loses its tail, it is out of the game. Only a horse may grab a tail. The team that keeps its tail receives 25 points and 5 points are given each tail stolen that a team has. Variations: For wheelchairs use one horse and one driver. Clothes Pin Tag Required: Clothes pins and rope Players: Large groups Mark off a play area of at least 40ft by 40ft by putting rope on the ground. All players are to receive 5 clothes pins, pinned the back of their shirts. Have them all spread out around the

edge of the rope before starting. The object is to try to capture clothes pins from someone elses back without loosing yours. If you capture a clothes pin you are to go down on one knee while pinning it on your back. While you are on one knee, no one can take a clothes pin from you. If you go out of bounds you loose a clothes pin. There is no pushing and you can only touch clothes pins, no touching or pulling clothes or the body. Any violators will loose one clothes pin to victim. The person with the most clothes pins in the allowed time you choose wins. You can play teams and the team with the most is the winner also. Corner Corner ("Ko na Ko na" - Pakistani) Players: 3 - 5 players Heres a game that is played in Pakistani and the children love it. Mark off four corners of a square in a play area. A chalked off area would be helpful on blacktop/sidewalk. One player will stand in the middle and be the person that is it. The other 2-4 players will each stand in one different corners. The object is for the corner players to communicate which two players will switch positions without being tagged by the player in the middle. If a player is tagged, that player is the new middle player. Fox Hunts Squirrel Required: Large play area

Players: Large groups You need players to be trees, players to be squirrels (half of tree total plus a few) and a few players to be the foxes. For a class size of 22, assign 12 kids be trees. Each of those players will pair up with another to be one tree, which will give you 6 trees. There will be 8 squirrels. This is to create the problem of not enough trees for all the squirrels. There are also two foxes to catch those loose squirrels. For a group of 40, have 22 kids be trees giving you 11 trees, 14 squirrels and 4 foxes. The trees go out into the play area first. Two people become a tree by standing face to face and holding hands with arms raised over their heads. Once the trees are into position you send out the squirrels to find a home. A squirrel must stand underneath the raised arms to be in a tree. If a squirrel has no home he goes to another squirrels home tap them on the shoulder. That squirrel must leave his home out the other side of the tree and find a new home. Give the squirrels a few minutes of establishing a cycle of tree swapping. Once this has been done, send in the foxes and they are to tag any loose squirrels. Those squirrels tagged are to sit out of the game. After a few squirrels are tagged, start taking away one or two trees (Have someone come in with a chain saw to remove the trees - they will notice that this is changing the squirrels habitat. After the

kids have played this game then let them choose what they would like to be. Youll find most players will want to be squirrels and foxes, and few will be trees if any at all. Play out the game and then talk about what went wrong. Heads or Tails Required: Quarter and play area Players: Small to large groups Have the players divide into two teams. Label one team HEADS and the other TAILS. Lay out two center lines that are parallel to each other and three feet apart. Then set up two boundary lines about 20 feet from the center lines for each team to cross for their safe zone. Use hoses or rope if outdoors and tape if indoors. To start, make teams stand with their backs toward each other at the centerlines. Toss the coin into the air. Once the coin has landed on the ground call out if its heads or tails. If it was tails, the TAILS team must run to their safe zone. The HEADS team will turn around and try to tag the TAILS team before they reach their safe zone. After each toss and chase, players are to return to the centerline, expect tagged players-they are out of the game. You play until one team has captured everyone on the opposite team and that team is the winner. Heads or Tails is a good game for Physical Educators, Youth Groups, picnic game or party game.

Hula-Hoop Tag Required: Gym floor and Hula-Hoops Players: Medium to large groups Pick 2-4 players to roll Hula-Hoops that will be positioned across both sides of the play area or gym floor. Have the rest of the players line up across the width of the gym floor. Players will run from one end of the gym floor to the other trying not to touch or be tagged by the rolling Hula-Hoops from the players on the side of the play area. As players are tagged they will join the rollers on the sides with additional Hula-Hoops to tag existing runners. Great game idea for PE teachers and kids will beg to do this again. Japanese Tag Players: Small to large groups Similar to the regular game of tag except the one who has been tagged must place his right hand on the spot where he has been touched, whether it is on his arm, his chest, his back, his ankle, etc. Then he must chase the other players in that position until he has tagged a new person to be it. Mr Wolf Required: Flat play area (gym floor or parking lot) Players: Small to medium groups

To play this game you'll need a safe play area with boundaries to run around in. One person will start out being Mr Wolf. Mr Wolf will stand at one end of the play area and all the other players will be at the other end. The other players will all say at once... What time is it Mr Wolf??? The Wolf will answer with a numeric time like 2 O'clock. If he does, the players will step closer and repeat... What Time Is It Mr Wolf??? He then again answers with another time until he feels that they are close enough to chase. Once Mr Wolf thinks that they are close enough to chase he will respond instead with... Time for Dinner and to eat you!! Mr Wolf will then chase the players and the first one that is tagged will become Mr Wolf. Poison Cookie Required: 8 Foam Discs (Cookies), flat play area (gym floor or parking lot), flags or bandanas Players: Small to large groups Make cookies out of 2" foam,12" in diameter. Color 4 cookies yellow and 4 red. You can use colored tape around the circumference or spray paint the cookies. Divide into two teams on opposite sides of the play field. You may use bandanas or flags to identify the two teams. Each team gets one color of the cookies. The object is to hit member of the other team by kicking the

cookies at their legs. Anyone hit by a cookie from the opposite team is out of the game. When one team has been completely eliminated, they lose. Pizza Shop Players: Medium to large groups Two people (pizza makers) stand in the middle of the gym and the rest of the players stand behind a line at one end of the gym. The coordinator goes down the line informing them what topping they are by saying pepperoni, mushroom, or ham. The pizza makers are to call out one topping and those toppings are to run across the gym past the safe line. If theyre tagged they must stop where there at and sit down. They try to tag anyone that passes them during the game. Do this until there are only two people remain in the game. They are the new pizza makers. Snake Tag Players: Small to large groups Start out with three to four in a group. Try to get as many groups as possible and leave a person as it. Have the members of each group attach together by holding onto the waist of the person in front of them to form a snake. The person in front is the head and the person in back is the tail. To start, the person that is it must catch the tail of one of the snakes and

attached to it. If he is successful, the head must come off and he is now it. You are to twist and turn your snake to keep from loosing your head.

Toilet Tag Players: Small to large groups One person is to be It. Players are to run back and forth to the two different safety areas. If tagged they have to go down on one knee and have one arm up. The arm should be displayed so that the elbow is bent and wrist is bent above the elbow. They are to stay in that position until someone else frees them. To be freed, another player has to sit on their knee and push their hand down as if they were flushing a toilet. The tagged player must also make the sound of a toilet flushing while doing this. If caught that person is also a toilet and the toilet becomes another It. Zombie Required: Balloons, string and safe play area Players: Large groups Pick one person to be the Zombie, that player will not be given a balloon. All other players will be given one balloon with a piece of string to tie around their waist. Once the balloon is tied on, players must position the balloon to be

in the middle of their back clearly exposed. Players are given a 45 second head start to hide from the Zombie. The Zombie is released to go and make other Zombies by popping other student's balloons. Once a player's balloon is popped (either by accidentally or by a Zombie) they become a Zombie and begin to pop other player's balloons as well. The game is timed and at the end when the allotted time is complete, any non-Zombies will be given a treat. You can play this great game at a youth group lock-in, birthday parties or sleepover. An option is to play this in the dark with minimal lighting. Zookeeper Required: Playground or large area Players: Small to medium groups Mark off two goals approximately 50 feet (15 meters) apart. Between the goals, off to one side, have a ten-foot square for the zoo. Choose one player to be the zookeeper and have them stand in the center of the play area. Secretly give each player an animal name to be called. More than one person can have the same name. While the hunter is in the center of the play field he is to call out an animal name. He will call out animal names one by one until he finds one that is in the group. Once a players animal name is called they are to run across the opposite goal line and then

return. When the zookeeper sees this he is to run to the zoo, get his net, and return to center area to try and tag the running animal. The net can be something soft like a piece of foam or soft rubber item. Any animals tagged are taken to the zoo and sit until all players have been called.

Learning Games
Bean Game Required: Beans Players: Two or three Take an amount of large beans, or small items to hold in your hands. Decide on a number to work on like 8. Have your player count out 8 beans. Place the beans in your hand and hide them behind your back. While theyre behind your back put some beans in each hand. Like 3 in one hand and 5 in the other. Show the player the beans in one hand. They must tell you how many you have in the other hand. Play this again using another combination. This helps your child learn all the combinations of a number sum. Bean Plates Required: Paper Plates and dried beans Players: Small groups To help children learn multiplication here is a great idea for them to visually see the concept. Use small paper plates for the small number

and place beans on them for the multiplier. Example 3 plates and 5 beans on each plate is 3 X 5 = 15. You can also use three plates for the addition and subtraction problems. Plate one will have 3 beans, plate two will have 5 beans and plate three will be what 3 + 5 equals 8 beans. Card Math Required: Deck of cards, paper and pencil Players: Two If you need a fun way to learn multiplications with your child try this game. Both of you should have a pencil and sheet of paper. Make five lines in a column on one corner of both papers and then a small line below the far right of the column for a total sum amount. Start out with a deck of cards and use only the 1s through 5s. Shuffle the cards and deal two faced up the other player. They are to write down the two numbers, multiply them and write the answer in a tally column. You then deal two cards to yourself, say the multiplied sum out loud and write the answer on your paper. Then repeat until all the cards are gone. At that point you should both have five sets of cards. Tally up the to answers on both sheets, the person with the highest number is the winner. You can play again until you have mastered 1-5s. Do this a couple times of week for a few minutes a day. Once they can do 15s you can replace the lower numbers with

the next higher set of cards 2-6s, 3-7s or make the columns longer example 2-7s. Doo Bags Required: Small Ziploc storage bag, styling gel (Dippetty Doo) and food coloring Measure out about 4 tablespoons of styling gel into a Ziploc bag and add several drops of food coloring. Close bag while removing any air in bag and then have kids mix food coloring around in gel until all one color. Once mixed have the kids lay the bags on a flat surface and now they can practice writing their letters or numbers. A great activity to help improve fine motor skills. Keep track of where they take their bags and advise them not to open them so they dont make a mess. Exchange Change Game Required: Pennies, nickels, dimes and one die Players: Two or three A learning game that will help preschoolers to early grade schoolers learn money combinations. To play this game with 2-3 players, start out with 10 dimes, 6 nickels, and 15 pennies. The first player will roll the die and what ever number comes up from 1-6 they will take that many coins. If they roll a six they can take six pennies, but then they have to exchange 5 pennies for a nickel. After a few

times of having to exchange them theyll learn to pick a nickel and one penny. The next player will do the same and take the allotted amount. On the players next turn they take the allotted coins, but if they end up with five pennies they exchange them for a nickel and if they have two nickels they have to exchange them for one dime. When all the dimes are gone the game is over and all players count out their change. The person with the highest number wins. For the next level of learning money combinations add 10 quarters and then the next level you can add dollar bills. Shaving Cream Writing Required: Foil or wax paper and can of shaving cream Lay out wax paper or tin foil on a work counter or kitchen table so that its nice and flat. Let the kids spray a large pile of shaving cream onto the area. Have them spread out the cream and practice their writing skills. This activity will be very helpful with fine motor skills, those visual and tactical learners will benefit from this. The more senses you use, the more you learn. Do this activity to practice letters, writing words, writing cursive, writing numbers and doing addition. Make learning fun!!! Yahtzee Required: Game of Yahtzee

Players: Two to four Great game to purchase that you should add to your game cupboard. This game is great for those grade schoolers in learning to do simple addition and multiplication problems. Some kids need different ways to help them better retain what they are learning. Repeating multiplication over and over is hard for some. If you can help them apply the concept in different ways, they have a great chance of retaining what they have learned. The game of Yahtzee has players adding and multiplying numbers from 1-6 by as high as 5 if your lucky. Its a great start to help children understand the concept of simple addition and multiplication.

Remember
Having a family is a blessing but not anyone considers this as that. Some will say that having a family is such a daunting cross to bear but for me, having a family is a forever challenge that will constantly rise in our midst. I could say that primarily, what makes having a family a challenge is dealing with kids aside from our constant adjustment to our spouse. It is really not easy to just build a "family" because having a family is not easy at all. Dealing with kids specifically will really stretch your patience up to their maximum level but as

parents, you are expected to stretch that one unlimitedly. One, parenting is forever a challenge and you do not just say you give up half way there because certainly your kids has nothing to do with your decision to get married and build a family. They did not make the decision for you. You made the decision yourself. They are just the result and outcome of that decision so you have to realize that giving up on them halfway will defeat the purpose of you wanting to build such a happy and contented home. Two, dealing with kids is a responsibility and not an obligation. Once you set your mind into this kind of thinking, you will feel relieved and blessed to have such an enormous responsibility of molding your kids to whoever they will become in the near future. If you think of it as an obligation, you will be burdened by a fact that you "must" and you "have" to deal with them. It becomes a heavy cross which will tie you down even if you do not want any of it to happen. So before you say your "I dos," you should have thought a lot about it first. Three, do not monopolize the life of your child. This means that you should always give them an option whatever they may be in order for them to learn the beauty of cause and effect. They should learn how to do things on their

own and not just because you told them to do so. You are not a dictator who manipulates lives. You are a parent first and foremost and you need to understand this basic knowledge before you claim to be dealing with your kids effectively. That is just how parenting is. Four, do respect your kid whatever and whoever he is. Your responsibility is only to guide them into the right direction and path but it does not mean you rule over their lives. You have to accept the fact that people can never be molded into the kind of ideal person we want because change will constantly consume them and that includes you. Your ideals right now may not be the same ideals you will have 5 years or more later on unless of course you are only a puppet in this world or you are someone who really has a life with no challenge at all.